First Tanto And A Quick Kantei

[Isshu]

Hi All,

 

Just received my first ever Tanto and I'm so happy with it I thought I would share it with you all. Also because it is quite unusual a Kantei of the blade might be fun for any who are interested.

 

The shape is Kata-kirba, Shobu Zukuri with a blade length of 29.8 cm, hamachi width of 3.2 cm and a kasane of .6 cm. So it is a big blade for a Tanto. It was difficult to photo but I think the overall effect has been captured. So if anyone wants to have a go at Kantei I'll wait a couple of days and supply the answer to three questions. The only hint is that it is in Soshu tradition.

 

-School

-Swordsmith

-Era

 

Regards

John C.

[Guido]

Very hadatatsu. Was it acid-etched? I can't see the hamon or any hataraki. The kitae is also very unusual, especially for such a short blade. I could be totally off, but all this makes me think it's a contemporary blade.

[mywei]

something NQR with the hada it seems. I second the ?acid-etch query

[Brian]

This has to be shinsaku if it's Japanese?
I am also battling to see a hamon and and hataraki.

[mfarrar]

Hi John,

 

It would be best if you post a photo of the nakago (tang)

[Tom Darling]

A very nice Habaki

 

 

Tom.D

[vajo]

A folded steel knife. Can't belive that is made from Tamahagene and water hardned.

[SwordGuyJoe]

I feel like I recently saw this blade for sale... could be wrong of course. If so, it’s a Shinsakuto tanto made by a student of Akihira.

[Stephen]

3rds on acid wash. Nakago please

[Brian]

I was also thinking this could be Akihira related. Only smith with hada approaching this sort.

[Guest Rayhan]

is it a Nihonto?

[Isshu]

Hi Guy,

 

Thanks for your comments. I think my skills as a photographer are lacking but there is a Nie based hamon that is hard to see in hand as well as in the photos.

However, as most of you have guessed it is commissioned shinsakuto work dated 2018.

The school is Miyairi (Akihira). The smith is Kato Shinpei from Tochigi prefecture. Kato san trained initially under Miyairi Akihira until his death and finished his training under Kanbayashi Tsunehira. He has won many awards over the years and most have been in the Tanto section.

 

The commission request was for the shape and size as indicated in the initial post but for the Jigane in the style of a Matsukawa- hada. Kato san initial wasn't prepared to attempt this type of jigane as there was a good chance that openings would occur between the layers, but was prepared to try as long as I was aware of this issue. As it turned out it is a perfect blade with no openings at all. Three types of iron were used in the construction, tamahagane and two other different types of old iron. I was informed that due to this type of jigane the Nioi based hamon I requested was not possible due to the steel structure, carbon content and temperature required during Yaki-ire. As mentioned above the hamon is Nie based and is difficult to visualise but happy to say is there! Also it was certainly not acid etched. 

 

Attached are the requested Nakago shots with it's very beautiful solid silver Habaki.

 

Regards

 

John C.