Antique Japanese Tantō, Signed "Kanemoto" (兼元) — A Late-Muromachi Blade of the Legendary Magoroku Kanemoto Tradition, with a One-of-a-Kind Vermilion-and-Gold Lacquered Koshirae

A lively nie-laden gunome hamon with rich ashi, yō, and tama, paired with a strikingly unique mounting featuring an amber-like fuchi and a fully fitted kozuka

We are pleased to present a striking late-Muromachi-period tantō signed by Kanemoto (兼元) — famous for the legendary Magoroku Kanemoto tradition of Seki — accompanied by a highly unique, complete custom tantō-koshirae. Freshly polished and brimming with dynamic blade activity, this historic piece is paired with a distinctive mounting featuring a vermilion-and-gold lacquered scabbard, a leather-wrapped hilt, an amber-like collar fitting, and a matching kozuka (utility knife).

On the smith — Kanemoto (兼元)

Kanemoto was the leading line of swordsmiths based in Seki (modern-day Seki City, Gifu Prefecture), renowned across Japan for producing blades of supreme sharpness and battle-proven durability. Among them, Magoroku Kanemoto (particularly the 1st and 2nd generations) stands as one of the most famous and highly sought-after names in Japanese sword history. Created around the late Muromachi period (koto era), this blade embodies the sharp, functional beauty and spirited temper line that made the Kanemoto name legendary among samurai.

Workmanship and condition

Polished throughout, the blade is in excellent overall condition, free of major flaws, rust, or chips. The hiraji (flat surface) displays a whitish trace of historical chemical reaction approximately 3 cm above the habaki on both sides, which adds character without hindering appreciation. The jigane features a well-developed itame-hada (wood-grain pattern) mixed with mokume (burl grain), highlighted by bright yubashiri (spilling nie). The hamon is a lively gunome (irregular clove-shaped pattern) laden with deep nie, showcasing rich internal activity (hataraki) including ashi, yō, and distinct tama (jewel-like formations). The bōshi (tip temper) moves with spirit, turning back in a sharp, pointed tip (togatte kaeru).

Form

A robust hira-zukuri tantō crafted in classical uchizori (inward-curving) style, characteristic of fine Muromachi-period daggers. Featuring a powerful thickness (motokasane of 8.0 mm) paired with a motohaba of 24.5 mm, it possesses a solid, authoritative weight in hand that reflects the practical, combat-ready ethos of the Mino smiths.

The mounting (koshirae)

This dagger is equipped with an extraordinarily unique and complete tantō-koshirae. The saya (scabbard) is finished in vibrant vermilion lacquer (shunuri) speckled with elegant gold dots. The tsuka (hilt) is wrapped in gold-painted leather, accented by an unusual, translucent fuchigane (collar fitting) crafted from an amber-like material. The mounting further includes a fully fitted kozuka (utility knife) embedded in the scabbard, making this a complete and exceptionally preserved set with no missing components.

Combining a late-Muromachi blade by the famed Kanemoto lineage with a truly one-of-a-kind, complete custom mounting, this tantō set offers a captivating blend of historical artistry and distinctive visual style at an extraordinarily accessible value.

Specifications

• Type: Tantō (短刀), hira-zukuri with iori-mune, uchizori (inward curve); ubu, zaimei (signed); Koto period (late Muromachi era)
• Smith: Kanemoto (兼元), Seki school
• Signature (mei): "Kanemoto" (兼元), on the back (ura-mei)
• Jigane: Itame-hada mixed with mokume, featuring active yubashiri
• Hamon: Deep nie-deki gunome-midare, enriched with ashi, yō, and tama
  
• Length of edge (nagasa): 23.0 cm (approx. 9.06 in / approx. 7 sun 6 bu)
• Curvature (sori): Uchizori (inward curve)
• Width at base (motohaba): 24.5 mm (approx. 0.96 in)
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 8.0 mm (approx. 0.31 in)
• Peg holes (mekugi-ana): 1
• Weight (blade only): 200 g
• Weight (blade in mounting, without Saya): 310 g
• Condition: Polished and healthy; no flaws, rust, or chips (minor whitish trace near habaki)
• Mounting: Leather wrapped Tsuka & vermillion-lacquered Saya
• Registration No.: Ibaraki No. 43787 (茨城 第43787号)