AS20236-Tanto: Bishu Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane

Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature :　Bishu Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane
Meiji 3 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi
備州長船住横山祐包

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo-jyo ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki:　wood habaki
Blade length : 19.2 cm or 7.55 inches.
Sori :0.0 cm or 0.0 inches.
Mekugi: 1
Width at the hamachi : 2.31cm or 0.90 inches.
Kasane : 0.64cm or 0.25 inches.
The weight of the sword :125 grams.
Era: Meiji 3 Nen (August 1870)
Shape: Slightly short, nice shape Tanto.
Jigane: Ko Itame Hada welll grained with Jinie attach.
Hamon :　From Hamachi is Suguha and then Yokoyama Choji Midare Hamon with thick Nioikuchi. There are Asshi.

Special feature: Yokoyama Sukekane was a swordsmith of Bizen province.
He was an adopted son or a pupil of Yokoyama Sukenori.
This katana is a revival of old Bizen style.
He added Tomonari 58 Dai Mago to the signature meaning that he was a descendant of Tomonari. From the excellent workmanship,
it is entirely convincing. It is common knowledge that Tomonari of Bizen province,
Yasutsuna of Hoki province and Sanjo Munechika of Yamashiro province
are the three oldest master-swordsmiths in the Japanese sword world.

Koshirae : Aikuchi Koshirae.
Saya : Black Roiro Saya.
Menuki: Ebisu god and Daikokuten god are engraved with gold color.

From Aoi Art: Although not in this blade, there are “Tomonari 58 Dai Mago” in the back side of the Nakago. Tomonari is one of the oldest three swordsmiths in Japan along with Hoki Kuni Yasutsuna and Yamashiro Koku Sanjo Kokaji Munechika.
The Sword Abolishment Edict was an edict issued by the Meiji government of Japan on March 28, 1876. All the sword malers had to go out of business and leave the famuily business by changing jobs. This blade was made in August 1870.
The Koshirae is not gorgeous, but it is a calm and good piece.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.