AS21483 Tanto: Naniwa Gassan Unryushi Sadakazu Saku

Ordering number: AS21483
Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature : Naniwa Gassan Unryushi Sadakazu Saku
Keio 3 Nen 11 Gatsuhi
浪華月山雲龍子貞一作

(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: Gold colored single habaki.
Blade length:23.2cm or 9.13inches.
Mekugi:1
Width at the hamachi:2.3 cm or 0.90inches.
Kasane:0.74cm or 0.29inches.
The weight of the sword:195grams.
Era: The late Edo period, Keio era.
Shape: Kanmuri-Otoshi-ish Tanto with slightly broad blade with great thickness. Solid
and powerful Tanto.
Jigane: Ayasugi-hada well grained with attached Jinie to be elaborate Jigane
Hamon: Mainly Niedeki Suguha, small Ashi comes in.

Special feature: Kanmuri-Otoshi-ish Ayasugi-hada masterpiece Tanto by
Gassan Unryushi Sadakazu. Gassan Sadakazu 1st generation is a
sword smith from Settsu. His real name was Gassan Yagoro. He was
born in Koshu Sugoshi village in February 1836(Tempo 7) and was
adopted by Gassan Sadayoshi at the age of 7. He started sword-
making training when he was 11 years old, it is said that he mastered
Ayasugi-hada by the age of 20. After the Haito Edict in Meiji 9 he kept
on making swords with his enthusiasm. In Meiji 26 he exhibited his sword at
Chicago Expo and won a prize, and that sword was bought by Meiji
Emperor in the following year. He was appointed to a post of Imperial Art
Expert(Teishitsu Gigeiin). He was also famous for the great skills on sculpting.
He passed away on the 11th of July, Taisho 7(1918), at the age of 84.
He produced his works from Kaei 3(1850) to Taisho 7(1918).

Koshirae:
Fuchikashira: On the Shakudo plate, family crest is engraved.
Saya: Black Aogai-chirashi Saya, flower patterns are painted and the family crest is
painted by Aogai.
Kozuka: On the Shibuichi plate, plum blossoms are engraved and the petals are painted
by silver.
Kogai: On the Shibuichi plate, flowers are engraved.
From Aoi Art: There are seldom pieces of Gassan Sadakazu 1st generation with
the production date of the Edo period because of the Haito Edict, which
took effect in Meiji 4. Thus, it is very rare to find Tanto of him which was made in the late Edo period. This is Kanmuri- otoshi-ishi
Tanto, and besides, in this work we can see the great effort to take the Ayasugi-hada back, which his ancestor had produced. Later,
once he gave up making swords, and after it was allowed to make
swords again, he re-started making swords and gained great popularity
as a member of Imperial Art Expert. In the late Meiji period, his son
Sadakatsu made many swords for him. This work is a pure and rare
piece of Gassan Sadakazu, which was made in Keio 3, just before the Haito
Edict. Koshirae is not gorgeous but made in the same era when the
Tanto was made, rather well-made and suits really well with the
Ayasugi-hada Tanto by Gassan Unryushi Sadakazu. We truly recommend this
one for you.

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