AS17218-Tanto: Bizen Koku Ju Osafune Sukesada

Tanto in Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)
Signature : Bizen Koku Ju Osafune Sukesada
Eiroku 7 Nen 2 Gatsu Hi

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular
saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki : Silver double Habaki.
Blade length : 26.0 cm or 10.23 inches.
Sori : 0.2 cm or 0.07 inches.
Mekugi : 3
Width at the hamachi: 2.56 cm or 1.00 inches.
Kasane: 0.62 cm or inches.
Era: Muromachi period around Eiroku era 1565.
Shape: Regular width and thickness Takenoko Sori style Tanto.
Jigane : Itame Hada and Mokume Hada mixed with Jinie attach.
There is Utsuri.
Hamon: Ko Nie Deki, tight Suguha Hamon with Ko Ashi.
Boshi is Hakikake style.

Special feature: Harima, Mimasaka and Bizen province had been prospered under
the protection of the Akamatsu family. Above all, Bizen province has turned out a
great many talented swordsmiths. A large number of swords were made there in
the late Muromachi period not only supplying the demand of the Age of Provincial
Wars in Japan but also as an important exporting item to the Ming dynasty in
China. It is the accepted theory that the sword made with a mass-product process
has the signature begins Bishu-Osafune. Contrary made to order or
conscientiously made sword has the signature begins Bizen Koku Ju Osafune.

Koshirae :
Saya: eggshell Saya.
Tsuba: Iron Hamidashi Tsuba, plants with gold inlay.
Menuki: Shakudo, the flower is engraved.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo Nanako, chrysanthemum is engraved with gold color.

From Aoi Art: This blade has nice width and thickness. And also nice workmanship. There is Utsuri on the Ji.
The signature and the Yasurime are beautifully carved.
The eggshell Saya is also nice.

NBTHK Hozon Paper:
Aoi Art estimation paper
whole Oshigata.