Tanto: Mumei(Unsigned)(Hankei)(NBTHK Hozon Token)(Consignment Sale)

Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Inscription: Mumei(Unsigned)(Hankei　繁慶)

We divide works in to Saijo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku,and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Mumei(Hankei).

Habaki: Double gold-foiled habaki
Blade Length: 27.0cm (10.63in)
Curvature: 0.1cm (0.04in)
Mekugi-ana: 1
Motohaba: 2.60cm (1.02in)
Kasane: 0.58cm (0.23in)
Weight: 85g
Era: early Eo period, circa 1600

Shape: slightly wide blade with mitsumune and v-shaped tang.
Jigane: Oitame and mokume covered with jinie and intense chikei.
Hamon: Notare with much nie making sunagashi, kinsuji, and Yubashiri.

Features:
Noda Hankei was a swordsmith originally from Mikawa Province. He initially worked as a gunsmith in the service of Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1605, he accompanied Ieyasu to Sunpu, where he is said to have begun forging swords. After Ieyasu’s death, he returned to Edo and continued producing both swords and firearms. Hankei is known for his distinctive workmanship reminiscent of old Soshu swordsmiths like Masamune and Norishige. His jigane features prominent chikei and intense grain pattern called as Hijiki-hada.　Another characteristic feature of Hankei’s work is the Yagen-nakago, a tang with a sharply peaked back resembling the V-shaped edge of a traditional Japanese medicine grinder (yagen).”　

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Vertical oval-shaped shakudo polished ground tsuba.
Fuchikashira: Shibuichi ground with a townscape design in inlay and colored metal decoration. Signature: Hosono Sozaemon…
Saya: Black lacquered saya with a polished finish.
Menuki: Folding fan design.

From Aoi-Art:
Although it is regrettable that this sword is unsigned, it is an extremely valuable work that clearly exhibits Hankei’s distinctive characteristics, particularly in the jigane and nakago. The abundant and dynamic activities in both the ji and ha are truly magnificent.

NBTHK Hozon Certificate
Aoi-Art estimation Paper
whole Oshigata

Please note: the price does not include the shipping fees.