E-- Kantei please

[stace]

another request for any learned thoughts by the collective expertise is appreciated. I realize not being in hand, opinions are difficult and just an educated guess. but the respected knowledge of this forum is second to none.

 

this tanto was a gift from my aikido sensei.

 

nakago is 7.8 cm

nagasa is 17.7 cm

mu mei with suguba hamon

boshi has nice turn-back

gold habaki

 

 

any thoughts as to school, age, worth a polish or shinsa? etc.

 

thanks very much in advance!!

 

Stace G.

[stace]

more pics

 

 

thanks

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Stace,

No earlier than later Shinshinto because the yasurime are kesho and I don't believe that was done before. 19th century or very early 20th would be my guess.

Grey

[Lee Bray]

Kesho yasurime don't necessarily denote Shinshinto.

I thought the same but I think it was Jacques that posted an example some time back and since then, I've seen a couple of examples.

Here's a papered Sukenao from 1670's - http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/10494.html

 

In this case, though, I think you're right.

The take-no-ko-zori sugata combined with the fairly full boshi and kaeri suggest Shinshinto to me.

The nakago ana still seem to have a slight burr around the edge so no old age there.

Also, the clear line marking the border between nakago patina and polished steel (sabi-giwa ?). That's something I see on Shinshinto blades but not before.

 

As to school and smith...no idea...

[Jean]

If you read the Nagayama Kokan, you will see that Kesho yasurime appeared in Shinto.

 

Just a tip for ubu sword, when providing pictures, be sure to post one (taken from above) of the mune machi - Nakago. This will give a hint of the number of polishes the blade has had and thus and indication of its age.

[stace]

thanks very much for the great insights and thoughts. Shinshinto sounds most likely. attached are a few more pics (mune machi and mekugi ana). more thoughts welcome and thanks again!!!

 

Stace G.

[Jean]

Yes, it seems from the pictures that the sword had few polishes. I'll go for Shin Shinto.

[stace]

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts. shin shinto it must be.... any other thoughts on school or region of Japan? saya any indicator?

 

many thanks domo arigato!!

[SwordGuyJoe]

Agree on shinshinto, but would hesitate to have koshirae as indicator of where the blade originated from. The two mekugi-ana indicate that in it's relatively short life, it has already been remounted and the koshirae is most likely not the original mounts.