Tantō, signed "Ryūsenshi Hirotaka" (龍泉子広高) — a custom-order u-no-kubi-zukuri dagger of Osaka (Settsu), around the An'ei era — NBTHK Hozon Tōken (with an older Tokubetsu Kichō certificate)

Signed and ubu, with two certificates across the generations — NBTHK Hozon (2026) and an older Tokubetsu Kichō (1969): an eye-catching u-no-kubi-zukuri tantō cut with twin grooves (ni-suji-hi), freshly polished and healthy, in shirasaya with a silver habaki.

We are pleased to offer a beautiful tantō signed "Ryūsenshi Hirotaka" (龍泉子広高), the work of an Osaka (Settsu) smith active around the An'ei era (1770s) of the mid-Edo period, when the great merchant city of Osaka was at the height of its prosperity. It is a signed (zaimei) blade on an unshortened (ubu) nakago, shaped in u-no-kubi-zukuri and cut with twin grooves (ni-suji-hi) — an eye-catching, sculptural construction rarely so boldly carried out on a tantō. Judging from the photographs it is in freshly polished, healthy condition. It carries two certificates spanning the generations: an NBTHK Hozon Tōken (Worthy of Preservation) issued in Reiwa 8 (2026), and an older Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken (Especially Precious Sword) from Shōwa 44 (1969) — double documentation that attests both to its quality and to the fact that it has been treasured by collectors for over half a century. It comes complete in a shirasaya with a single silver habaki.

Workmanship and condition

The jigane is a finely packed ko-itame mixed with masame, its clear surface evenly and thickly covered in fine ji-nie — the beautiful bright steel characteristic of the Osaka shintō tradition. The hamon is a gently undulating (notare-leaning) midare based on ko-gunome, with bright, clear ko-nie gathering deeply along the habuchi and shining white. The point turns back with a soft, rounded ko-maru, the temper carried fully to the very tip. In freshly polished, essentially flawless and healthy condition, with no chips or significant faults, it lets the contrast of its clear ji and bright ha be enjoyed to the full. It is on the strength of this fine ji and ha and its excellent state of preservation that the NBTHK has designated it a Hozon Tōken; the older Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken paper, carefully preserved alongside, doubly confirms its long-held pedigree and quality.

Form

The nagasa is 19.7 cm (6 sun 5 bu, a little over). Firm in both width and thickness, it draws a handsome silhouette that narrows crisply from base to point in the u-no-kubi-zukuri ("cormorant's neck") form. On both faces the blade is cut with twin grooves (ni-suji-hi): a short main groove rounded off (marudome) toward the base, set against a long soe-bi (accompanying groove) that runs flowingly up along the shinogi nearly to the point. This pairing of grooves on a short tantō blade is an eye-catching, uncommon touch; the interplay of the short main groove and the long accompanying groove heightens the three-dimensional beauty peculiar to the u-no-kubi-zukuri form, and shows careful, skillful carving. The nakago is a perfectly preserved ubu nakago with a shallow kurijiri and neatly cut katte-sagari file marks; the front bears the signature "Ryūsenshi Hirotaka" cut character by character in a flowing cursive (sōsho) hand, conveying the maker's considerable confidence and sense of style.

On the smith — Ryūsenshi Hirotaka (龍泉子広高)

Ryūsenshi Hirotaka was a swordsmith who worked in Settsu Province (Osaka) around the An'ei era (1770s), at the late-shintō end of the Osaka tradition. Surviving records of him are scarce, and little is documented of his life beyond this. Osaka was the "kitchen of the realm," a city where commerce and culture flourished and where many fine blades were made; this tantō, signed "Ryūsenshi," is a well-made example of his work, notable for the quality of its steel and the care of its elaborate construction.

The mounting (shirasaya)

The blade is housed in a very fine shirasaya and habaki made for its preservation and appreciation. The shirasaya is of top-grade hō (magnolia) wood, well seasoned and with a straight, honest grain; excellent at regulating humidity, it keeps the blade in excellent condition, protected from rust and damage. The habaki is a trim, dignified single silver habaki (gin hitoe habaki), whose soft silver luster tightens the sharp, composed figure of the u-no-kubi-zukuri blade and heightens its beauty in the hand.

More than a mere antique, it carries the history of having been carefully guarded and handed down by collectors over a long span of years. With bright ko-nie playing over its finely packed ko-itame, the skillful grooves that set off the keen u-no-kubi-zukuri silhouette, and the flowing hand-cut "Ryūsenshi Hirotaka" signature, it makes an ideal guardian blade (mamori-gatana) and a superb addition to a collection.

Specifications

• Type: Tantō, u-no-kubi-zukuri
• Signature: "Ryūsenshi Hirotaka" (龍泉子広高); Settsu (Osaka), around the An'ei era (1770s), late Osaka shintō
• Jigane: Finely packed ko-itame mixed with masame, clear, with thick fine ji-nie (Osaka shintō steel)
• Hamon: Notare-leaning midare based on ko-gunome, bright deep ko-nie; bōshi ko-maru with return
• Horimono: Twin grooves (ni-suji-hi) — main groove (marudome) with a long soe-bi — on both faces
• Nagasa (blade length): 19.7 cm (≈ 7.76 in / 6 sun 5 bu +)
• Sori (curvature): 0 cm (mu-sori)
• Motohaba: 23.4 mm
• Motokasane: 6.2 mm
• Nakago: Ubu, shallow kurijiri, katte-sagari yasurime
• Weight: 120 g (blade only)
• Condition: Freshly polished; essentially flawless and healthy
• Mounting: Shirasaya, with a single silver habaki (gin hitoe habaki)
• Certification: NBTHK Hozon Tōken (Reiwa 8 / 2026); and an older Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken (Especially Precious Sword, Shōwa 44 / 1969)
• Registration No.: Kanagawa No. 36173