A tanto | Signed Sukemune saku (made by Sukemune [Shimada]) | Muromachi period, mid-16th century

Property from an Important Private Collection

A tanto

Signed Sukemune saku (made by Sukemune [Shimada])

Muromachi period, mid-16^th century 

Sugata [configuration]: Wide hira-zukuri, muzori

Kitae [forging pattern]: Ko-itame hada with pronounced grain and jinie

Hamon [tempering pattern]: Notare-ba in nie-deki, with profuse ko-ashi

Boshi [tip]: Kaeri

Horimono [carvings]: The omote with ken and tsume, the ura with bonji and futasuji-hi

Nakago [tang]: Kurijiri, two mekugi-ana, signed Sukemune saku (made by Sukemune [Shimada])

Habaki [collar]: Silver, single clad

Koshirae [mount]: Of later date, the black lacquer saya [scabbard] in tataki-nuri, the associated fittings in shibuichi, shakudo and gilt, the fuchi-kashira [hilt-band and pommel] with small birds among blossoming plum, the menuki in the form of silver snails, the kojiri inlaid with stylised plum blossom and leaves, the kurikata in the form of an elephant head, the shibuichi tsuba of uneven form, inlaid in gold with budding and blossoming plum 

In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard]

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 29.7 cm., 11¾ in.

Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 2.7 cm., 1⅛ in.

Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Hozon Token [Sword Worthy of Preservation], no. 3005213 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Heisei 26 (2014)