AS21494-Tanto: Sukemune Saku (Shimada)

Tanto in Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)
Signature : Sukemune Saku (Shimada) 助宗作(島田)

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular
saku)
sue koto:Cyujyo saku:wazamono:Suruga
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo Saku.
Habaki : Silver single habaki.
Blade length : 29.7 cm or 11.69 inches.
Sori : 0 cm or 0 inches.
Mekugi : 2
Width at the hamachi : 2.7 cm or 1.063 inches.
Kasane : 0.6cm or 0.236 inches.
The weight of the sword 205 grams.
Era : Late Muromachi period around Tenbun era.
Shape : Rather wide and thick Mitsumune style Tanto.
On the Omote side, there are engraving of Ken and Tsume.
On the Ura side, there are engraving of Bonji and Futasuji Hi.
Jigane : Ko Itame Hada well grained with Jinie attach.
The Hada is beautiful.
Hamon : Nie Deki, Notare-Ba with many Ko-Ashi.
Boshi is pointed and long, turns back.

Special feature: Sukemune is a younger brother of Eisho Gisuke.
He was called as Gojo Kusauemon.

Koshirae :
Saya: Black Roiro Saya with crepe pattern.
Tsuba: Shibuichi Tsuba, Ume flower is engraved with gold color.
Menuki: Silver, a snail is engraved.
Fuchikashira:
Kojiri: Shibuichi, the flower is engraved.
Kurikata: elephant head is engraved with gold color.
Kaerizuno: horn with some gold color pattern.

From Aoi Art: This Shimada Sukemune’s blade is nice shape, Mitsumune style long
Sunnobi Tanto. It is a solid and healthy work with no Kizu and flaw. The Koshirae is also
good. The elephant’s head is engraved on the Kurikata, which is very rare. It seems that
this Tanto was the owner of a Daimyo class or Samurai. We highly recommend this healthy Tanto for you.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.