Tanto - Mumei(No Signature) - NBTHK Hozon Certificate(Momokawa) - Tanto Koshirae/Shirasaya - Ubu Nakago - Koto Era - Niigata 074171

This piece is an unsigned tanto that underwent authentication by the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords in December 2023.

The blade is in exceptionally fine condition, completely free of flaws, rust, dents, or any imperfections—so perfect it could be mistaken for having been made very recently. The entire blade is beautifully polished and ready for immediate appreciation. The jigane displays a beautiful pattern where itame is mixed with masame, evoking the flow of a river. The hamon is a narrow, straight, and tight nioi-kuchi, resulting in a practical yet refined finish. The nakago is ubu with no file marks.

As mentioned earlier, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords has certified this piece as belonging to the Momokawa school. The Momokawa school flourished in Momokawa, Kamibayashi Village, Echigo Province, spanning the Kamakura to Muromachi periods. Its origins trace back to Toshiyoshi, a disciple of Kanro Toshinao of the Omi school, who moved from Kyoto to Momokawa and began forging swords there. It is said that many swordsmiths from the Dewa Gassan school and Yamato also migrated to this Momokawa school.

The koshirae includes a tanto koshirae in addition to the shirasaya. The fittings are in excellent condition, exuding a rugged samurai aesthetic. Unfortunately, the kozuka is missing, but the blade itself greatly enhances the overall beauty when mounted.

This tanto set, a work from the Koto period preserved in perfect condition to the present day, is an exceptional piece you absolutely should not miss.

• Blade length: 27.6 cm
• Curvature: 0.0 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 1
• Motohaba: 22.1 mm
• Motokasane: 6.8 mm
• Signature: No signature
• Era: Koto
• Structure: Hira-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jigane: Itame with Masame
• Hamon: Hoso-suguha
• Boshi: Massugu Haitte Togatte Kaeru
• Weight: 170 g(blade only)/310 g(without Saya)
• Nakago: Ubu
  
• Koshirae: Black silk wrapped Tsuka with black matte finish Saya/Shirasaya
• Original Registration No.: Niigata 074171

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