Tanto Koshirae Plan

[Soshin]

I have this small Shin-Shinto tanto I was planning to have a koshirae assembled for it. Here are some photos of the tanto in shirasaya and the handle (tsuka). I picked up this handle today as a birthday gift. I took these photos with my iPhone. I am looking for a tanto sized tsuba that will keep with or be appropriate for the theme of the handle. The menuki are of a tiger in bamboo. I think it would take me some time to find a good matching tanto tsuba. I am not in a big hurry anyways as I just purchased the tsuka.. Feel free to ask questions and discuss politely.    

 

   

 

 

Edited July 16, 2023 by Soshin
Added additional photo of blade.

[Larason2]

Nice tanto and tsuka. It's not going to be that easy to find a tanto tsuba with a tiger/bamboo theme, but I wish you well on your search!

[Brian]

I'd suggest drawing a triangle and giving us the dimensions of said triangle to see if there is a decent tsuba that will fit. I know they can be adjusted, but always nice when the fit is close to start off with. Nice fittings there.

[Soshin]

I would want the tantō tsuba to keep with the Shōki (Demon Queller) theme. The tiger in bamboo motif of the menuki relates to this theme as Shōki  is sometimes pictured in art riding a tiger. An example is below. Here is my triangle diagram as a scanned drawing. I measured them on the tanto using a set of calipers, so I think they are reasonably accurate. I measured the nakago just below the silver foil habaki. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thanks for the help.

 

 

 

  

[Matsunoki]

33 minutes ago, Soshin said:

Shōki  is sometimes pictured in art riding a tiger. An example is below

Hi David, don’t want to contradict…..but I think he is riding a ShiShi, not a tiger.

All the best. Colin.

[Soshin]

It is a Shishi, Lion-dog, or a Korean Lion. Right now, I'm not sure how the tiger in bamboo motif of the menuki related to the Oni-Shoki motif of the fuchi-gashira set. A previous owner might have just liked menuki and had them mounted. The workmanship of the menuki from what I can see is good and consistent with the fuchi-gashira set.     

[Matsunoki]

Well ,  just to confuse matters Shoki has been depicted riding a tiger as well as a shishi…..if that helps?!?!

[David Flynn]

Would you please show a photo of the Nakago?

[Soshin]

17 hours ago, Matsunoki said:

Well ,  just to confuse matters Shoki has been depicted riding a tiger as well as a shishi…..if that helps?!?!

 

Thanks for the information. I remember being told this and it would make sense to have a motif with a tiger in the menuki.

 

@David Flynn while the focus of this topic is not the translation or authentication of signatures on the sword or its fittings.  I will provide a small side by side view of the nakago of the tanto per your request. I was able to translate the date of the nakago with help.

 

Quote

 

Tantō Notes from Markus Sesko:

Note #1

The mei on the tanto is a tough one. I have to figure out the syntax/meaning of the middle part. Sasshū (薩州) is of course clear, and the last two characters (生土) read "ubusuna" and mean "birthplace." I was not able to fine any place called (三川天) in Satsuma (present-day Kagoshima Prefecture), so I am not sure what Mikawa, or Mikawa-ten, is referring to. Maybe a local name for some place named differently on the map.

 

Note #2

As for the date, that is correct, it is "A day in the second month of Meiji two (1869), year of the snake" (明治二巳二月日).

I am really at my wit's end with the inscription/name on the omote. As mentioned, the last two characters (生土) read "ubusuna" and mean "birthplace." (土) would be a very rare last character in a three-character art name, e.g. Tenseido (天生土), that's why I tend to think that it might not be a name. On the other hand, no name would be odd either, so maybe the smith's name is Mikawa Tenseido (三川天生土).

By the way, when researching Mikawa (lit. "three rivers") in connection with Satsuma province, you mostly come across the historic incident when in the mid-Edo period, the bakufu ordered the Satsuma fief to carry out flood control work at the three rivers Kiso, Nagara, and Ibi. But I doubt that this is related to the inscription here. 

 

      

[Soshin]

Quick question beyond a tsuba do I need any other fitting to complete my planned tanto koshirae? Has anyone ever seen a kojiri on a tanto saya? i think I have only seen them on katana and wakizashi saya. Thanks for the information. This discussion as been helpful.   

[Matsunoki]

David hello again

I have quite a few Tanto in original Koshirae and many have en-suite kojiri. However I also have some that don’t use them. It’s a matter of personal choice I guess. I also have a couple where the metalwork kojiri does not match the rest of the fittings and a few done in simple black horn.

your choice!

best. Colin

[Brian]

I've seen plenty. Have a few.

[Soshin]

Thanks for the replies. I found this nice Shinshinto Nanotane tanto with koshirae on Ginza Choshuya website (日本刀販売・買取専門店銀座長州屋｜短刀　銘　荘司筑前直胤（花押） 文政十年仲秋 (choshuya.co.jp)). I really like the contrast with polished back lacquer saya and the lighter shibuichi kojiri.

 

Here is a tanto by Shinshinto Munetsugu from Ginza Choshuya. This is a plain saya example: (日本刀販売・買取専門店銀座長州屋｜短刀　銘　宗継(宮川筑前守宗継) (choshuya.co.jp)).

 

 

 

[Soshin]

Just as a relevant follow-up to this topic. I now have a tsuba! I picked up this tanto tsuba at this year's DTI. It fits nicely with the Shōki (Demon Queller) theme and the tanto's nakago in my opinion. I was able to talk to the professional craftsman (also attending DTI) that will be doing the mounting of the tanto and confirmed that I will be sending everything to him early next year. I will keep everyone updated as to the progress of this fun project.