(Echizen) Shimosaka (fss-510)
Mei: mumei
Date: koto
Nagasa : 11 5/8 "
Width at the ha-machi: 39.0 mm
Thickness at the mune-machi: 6.3 mm
Construction: hira-zukuri
Mune: iori
Nakago: ubu
Kitae: o-itame
Hamon: gunome midare
Boshi: maru
Condition: fresh polish
This is a massive Tanto, please note how wide this blade is. This blade was made in the same style as the famous "Hocho Massamune Blade". This blade is exquisite and extremely well balanced. The Hamon is loaded with activity and is very exuberant. The hada is also very well forged with many ji-nie throughout. It is very tightly forged for being O-hada. Echizen Shimosaka smiths were very prolific and produced many fine blades. This is a very fine example that is also extremely unique and rare. The mounts on this tanto are also very interesting and complete. They are in true samurai style, not flashy yet made with fine details. Some minor lacquer is missing in the tsuka but other than that is is in excellent shape. Also the saya has a hidden pocket in it. We don't see these in saya generally at all. More than likely it was used for secret notes or for hidden gold coins. Its hard to say but this is the first one we have come across for sale. This is a very unique item that dates back many years and is extremely well made.
Goro Nyudo Masamune
(1265-1358)
Undeniably the most famous and arguably the best swordsmith in Japanese history was Goro Nyudo Masamune. Masamune was trained by swordsmiths from Bizen and Yamashiro and his main teacher was Kunimitsu. Masamune made his name when in preparation for a third Mongol Invasion he created a stronger sword and pioneered a double quenching process for hardening steel. This brought him fame and drew many would-be disciples to his door for training. Masamune produced his best work in Kamakura, Sagami province in the 1320's. Today there are very few samples of swords actually signed by Masamune and most of the extant work are tantos rather than katana. Examples of signed works accepted as genuine are the "Fudo Masamune", "Kyogoku Masamune", and "Daikoku Masamune". His works are the most frequently cited among the swords listed in the Kyoho Meibutsu Cho, a catalogue of excellent swords in the collections of daimyos edited during the Kyoho era by the Hon-ami family of assessors.
"Juttetsu" - Ten Brilliant Students
Masamune trained many disciples who all went on to become very famous smiths in their own rights. Masamune had ten brilliant students who gathered from various regions of Japan, namely Rai Kunimitsu, Hasebe Kunishige, Kaneuji, Kinju, Yoshihiro, Norishige, Naotsuna, Bizen Kanemitsu, Chogi, and Sa.
"Click on the pictures to view"
FULL IMAGE
Details
Width Comparison This Blade is Massive
Next To A Standard Tanto
KOSHIRAI
SECRET COMPARTMENT
SHIRASAYA
PAPERS
NINTEISHO
1, TANTO (Length: 29.6 cm.)
Mumei (ECHIZEN SHIMOSAKA)
The above item, as a result of a shinsa at this organization, has been designated a Tokebetsu Kicho Token, and is confirmed as being genuine.
April 7, 1980
NBTHK
This exquisite blade comes in fresh polish with a very expensive gold foil habaki and its original silver foil habaki on the tsunagi. It is in shirasaya and comes with mounts and papers attesting to the quality of this blade.
This sword is on consignment.
SOLD
Order number for this item is : fss-510
Email us if your interested in this item at info@nihontoantiques.com
14k
nw.jpg)
nw.jpg)
