AS21583-Tanto: Mumei (Tametsugu)

Tanto in Shirasaya(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Consignment Sale)
Signature :　Mumei (Tametsugu) 　
無銘（為継）　

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Saijyo saku ranking.
Koto: Josaku:Wazamono:Ecchu
The blade was polished.
Habaki: copper double habaki.

Blade length:31.6 cm or 12.44 inches.
Sori:0.4cm or 0.15 inches.
Mekugi:2
Width at the hamachi:2.84cm or 1.18 inches.
Width at the Kissaki:2.5 cm or 0.98 inches.
Kasane:0.44cm or 0.17 inches.
The weight of the sword:155 grams.
Era: Nambokucho period, Ouei era.
Shape: The blade is broad and slightly thick, Mitsumune, Sori of the tip is deep. Bohi and Soehi are on the both sides, Nakago is short: typical Nambokucho shape.
Jigane: Koitame-hada very well grained to be good Jigane.
Hamon: Koniedeki, Gunome-midare with deep Nioikuchi, the edge of blade is soft, Sunagashi and Kinsuji work in Hachu. Boshi has deep Nioikuchi, Sunagashi and Kinsuji work.

Special feature: He is said to be a pupil of Gou no Norishige or Gou no Yoshihiro, later moved to Mino Fuwa county and made swords there. Normally, the works of Tametsugu has largely grained Itame-hada and visible patterns in Jigane, because he was influenced by his master, Norishige.

From Aoi Art: NBTHK has judged this as Mumei, attributed as Tametsugu, but its Jigane is blackish, Jihada is well grained, close Jigane. Soft Nioikuchi and deep big Gunome-midare, it is questionable whether it is made by Tametsugu, however, as a work of Tametsugu, it must be one of the best. In any case, the works in Hachu is very active and we have lots of Sunagashi and Kinsuji.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token paper
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.