opinion on tanto requested

[Marius]

Dear All,

 

I have gone recently through my shrinking nihonto collection (I am moving more into tsuba and need funds to fuel my lust for early Owari), and I have found an interesting tanto (in Higo koshirae). I don't quite know what to make of it.

 

The blade is a hira-zukuri takenoko-zori shape tanto. The forging is tight ko-itame/ko-mokume, hamon is suguha made of bright ko-nie with regular, short ashi. I think I can see bo-utsuri, and it is more visible in the area closer to the hamachi.

 

The tanto seems to have been polished quite a few times, still rather thick, with a ~1/4" (6mm) moto-gasane.

 

At the rsik of making a complete fool of myself, I would say (or my gut-feel would) that this tanto is a:

 

Sue-Bizen

 

 

Nagasa: 8 7/8" (22.55 cm)

width 7/8" (2,23 mm)

motogasane ~1/4" (~6mm)

 

sorry for the pics, if the sword is interesting for you and any more are needed, I'll take them with great pleasure.

[cabowen]

I think your guess is a good one...I would go a step further and say maybe Kiyomitsu would be a place to look further....

[Marius]

I think your guess is a good one...I would go a step further and say maybe Kiyomitsu would be a place to look further....

 

Chris,

 

many thanks

 

Anybody else to agree/disagree?

 

I should have posted better pics, I know, but I don't have them at the moment...

[Jean]

Same as Chris, just add Sukesada and Tadamitsu in the list

[Eric H]

further: Bizen...

 

Katsumitsu

Munemitsu

Norimitsu

Tadayuki

 

Eric

[Stephen]

you should send it to me for futher study :lol:

 

I really like

[ububob]

Early Owari, Marius? A truly noble pursuit and I wish you well with it. :D Let me know if any ko Akasaka become expendable as a result.

[Marius]

Early Owari, Marius? A truly noble pursuit and I wish you well with it. :D Let me know if any ko Akasaka become expendable as a result.

 

Bob,

 

no early Akasaka in my collection, unfortunately. But, whatever I do with my nihonto collection, this tanto will stay. Hence, your opinions will only advance my studies. They wil not be used to facilitate selling.