Item description:

This is a very interesting Tanto in the Koto tradition that appears Soshu in character and of the late muromachi era. It is in a nice polish but would be greatly enhanced by a new fresh polish. A signature appears to have been removed at one time and there are remnants that still appear which could also be reworked and then submitted to Shinsa.  The overall shape of this tanto is impressive and the hamon is loaded with activity.  The hamon contains plentiful nie with Suagashi and Kinsuji to be seen as well.  The hada has a milky slick looking finish to it and is forged very well with some areas of running hada mixed in.  This blade comes in mountings.  The furniture are made of shakudo and gold and in good condition. The kashira is of horn and a wheel like theme for the fuchi .

The saya is a red lacquer with gold kanji which reads:”Kitaoka-shi denrai-hôki nari” (北岡氏傅来寶器也) – “Heirloom treasure sword/item of the Kitaoka family.”

There is a Kaeshizuno – a hook shaped fitting used to lock the saya to the obi while drawing that matches the fuchi in theme. The kodzuka blade has kanji and the kodzuka is a picturesque setting of scholars under a tree. The tsuba is an openwork Sukashi style and there is older Same on the Tsuka. The menuki are of a bee and spider. The sageo is blue and the tsuka ito is black. There is a beautiful 2-piece gold washed habaki also.

The Hamon is a brilliant Midare-ba with gunome present and loaded with activity. The hada is a swirling itame with many hataraki as well. There is chikei and profuse ara-nie as well as ji-nie.

The tang shape is called funagata and is usually associated with Soshu blades. It is commonly a short and stubby nakago in the shape of a ship bottom.