AS20568-Tanto: Gassan

Tanto in Koshirae(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Gassan

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku and regular
saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo Saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki : Silver single habaki.
Blade length: 27.6 cm or 10.86 inches.
Mekugi: 1
Width at the Hamachi: 2.62 cm or 1.03 inches.
Kasane : 0.61 cm or 0.24 inches.
Era: Late Muromachi period Eisyo era.
Shape: It is nice Mihaba, kasane regular shape, Hirauchi Tanto.
Jitetsu: Ayasugi had well grained with jinie attach and visible to see the texture well.
Hamon : Niedeki suguha and notare.Boshi is round shape.

Special feature: Gassan is the name of one of the holy mountains in present Yamagata pref.
Where had been prospered gathering ascetic monk and swordsmiths from ancient times.
Swordsmith lived at the base of Mt.
Gassan formed a school and forged swords with the peculiar texture of jitetsu called Ayasugi-hada around the Kamakura period.
And after the middle Muromachi period, swordsmith started to inscribe their individual swordsmith name on the sword tang.
In the Edo period, this school declined but at the end of Edo period,
Gassan Sadayoshi moved to Osaka and tried to take the first step on the road recovery
for making Gassan Ayasugu Hada with Gassan Sadakazu.
finally they succeeded to recover this Ayasugihada and succeeded to his son Gassan Sadakatsu.
After the war, 3rd generation Gassan Sadakazu was made a living national treasure.

This sword is typical Gassan had which is called Ayasugi Hada and signature is very simple feeling.
The founder of the Gassan school Onioomaru early Kamakura period and later on many sword makers made Ayasugi Hada swords. But unfortunately, the Gassan school was stopped to continue making swords.
At Late Edo period, Gassan Sadayoshi and his adopted son Gassan Sadakazu tried to make old Gassan Hada.
Finally they succeeded making this Ayasugihada and kept as the top-secret and taught to next-generation sword maker who succeeded to the next generation.
Even in modern times this Ayasugihada is the top-secret for Gassan school.

Kosirae : Brass issaku koshirae.
Tsuba : On the brass tsub, carp and waterfall are engraving.
Fuchikashira : On the brass plate, leaves design is engraved.
Menuki : On the brass plate, grasses and kikumon are engraved.
Kojiri : On the brass plate, lobster is engraved.
Kurikata : On the brass plate, leaves design is engraved.

NBTHK Hozon Token.
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.