Tanto - Shigemitsu - Tanto/Shirasaya Koshirae - Suriage Nakago - Koto Era - Niigata 039478

A beautifully decorated tanto set has arrived.

The blade is well-polished with no flaws or defects, presenting a sound condition. The hamon is orderly with itame pattern, and chikei is also visible. The hamon is a very fine suguha pattern with a yakizume-style boshi. The nakago is inscribed with “Bishu Osafune  Shigemitsu” on the sashi-omote side and “Ouei Jusan-nen Hachigatsu-bi” on the sashi-ura side.

The first Shigemitsu was the son of Nagamitsu, the head smith of Osafune around 1311. Swordsmiths who inherited the name Shigemitsu were, generation after generation, renowned masters who served as valued collaborators to orthodox Osafune smiths like Nagamitsu and Kagemitsu. The Shigemitsu who forged this piece is thought to have been active during the early Muromachi period, specifically the Ouei era.

The koshirae features a unique tanto koshirae with a beautifully lacquered scabbard, in addition to shirasaya. The black silk tsukaito is wrapped in the tsumami-maki style. The tsuka features a large menuki with a turtle motif, suggesting this koshirae was made with prayers for longevity.

Its excellent condition, provenance from a renowned swordsmith, and the uniqueness of the koshirae make this a highly rare and valuable piece. We encourage you to add it to your collection.

• Blade length: 23.0 cm
• Curvature: 0.0 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 2
• Motohaba: 20.3 mm
• Motokasane: 5.6 mm
• Signature: Bishu Osafune Shigemitsu(front), Ouei Jusan-nen Hachigatsu-bi(back)
• Era: Koto
• Structure: Hira-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jigane: Itame
• Hamon: Hoso-suguha
• Boshi: Massugu Haitte Togatte Kaeru
• Weight: 130 g(blade only)
• Nakago: Suriage
  
• Koshirae: Black silk wrapped Tsuka with dappled lacquered Saya
• Original Registration No.: Niigata 039478

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