Antique Japanese Tantō, unsigned (mumei) — a late-Edo "Hōchō Masamune" utsushi with sword and ritual-chopstick carvings

A broad, wide-bodied tantō modeled on the National Treasure "Hōchō Masamune," carved on both faces with a suken and goma-bashi — very healthy, in shirasaya with a gold habaki

This is believed to be a tantō forged in the spirit of the late-Edo fukko-tō (sword-revival) movement and its enthusiasm for re-creating famous blades, taking as its model the celebrated National Treasure "Hōchō Masamune" — a masterpiece by the great Sōshū smith Masamune. Both faces bear superb carvings: a suken (straight ritual sword), a symbol of faith and protection against evil, on the front (omote), and a goma-bashi (paired ritual chopsticks) neatly incised on the back (ura), lending the piece both artistic value and a noble dignity.

Workmanship and condition

Finely polished, the blade retains a thoroughly healthy state with extremely few flaws or defects. The jigane is a finely and densely packed itame (wood-grain), asserting a clear, moist, lustrous texture. The temper line is a leisurely, undulating notare (wave) mixed with gunome, the temper edge covered with dense nie that glows brightly. The elegant carvings on both faces, precise in design, further heighten the beauty of the steel and temper.

Form

A signature feature is its distinctive shape reminiscent of the "Hōchō Masamune": broad in the body and gently tapering — indeed slightly "laid down" — toward the tip, yet radiating powerful presence. It retains ample width and thickness, and the moderate heft in the hand together with the unusual form strongly draw the viewer's eye. It is of hira-zukuri construction with a shallow curvature.

The mounting (shirasaya)

The blade is housed in a fine, carefully made shirasaya. It is fitted with a gold single-piece-style (kin-ichimai-fū) habaki — a sturdy yet gracefully showy finish that further sets off the dignity of the whole blade.

Blade carvings imbued with homage to the National Treasure "Hōchō Masamune" and deep religious feeling. Though unsigned, it is clear from the brilliance of its steel and temper that this is the work of a highly skilled master smith — a piece that reveals the advanced re-creative power and extraordinary passion of the late-Edo swordsmiths.

Specifications

• Type: Tantō (短刀), hira-zukuri; unsigned (mumei) — a "Hōchō Masamune" utsushi (copy)
• Carving (horimono): Omote — suken (素剣, straight ritual sword); Ura — goma-bashi (護摩箸, ritual chopsticks)
• Jigane: Finely packed itame, clear and moist
• Hamon: Notare mixed with gunome, dense bright nie along the temper edge
• Length of edge (nagasa): 22.4 cm (approx. 8.82 in / approx. 7 sun 4 bu)
• Curvature (sori): 0.3 cm (approx. 0.12 in)
• Width at base (motohaba): 31.3 mm (approx. 1.23 in) — notably broad
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 6.1 mm (approx. 0.24 in)
• Weight (blade only): 210 g
• Condition: Finely polished; very healthy, with very few flaws
• Mounting: Shirasaya, with a gold single-piece-style (kin-ichimai-fū) habaki
• Registration No.: Mie No. 25204 (三重 第25204号)