{"product_id":"antique-japanese-tanto-sword-kanenori-gendai-era-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-21-2-cm","title":"Antique Japanese Tanto Sword - Kanenori, Modern Era - NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon (21.2 cm)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAntique Japanese Tantō, Signed \"Teishitsu Gigeiin Sugawara Kanenori, Age 83, saku\" (帝室技芸員菅原包則八十三作) — NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken, by One of Only Two Swordsmiths Ever Named Imperial Household Artist\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAn exquisitely refined ko-itame-hada set off by a luminous suguha and delicate sunagashi, forged at age 83 in October of Taishō 1 (1912) by a master beloved across four imperial reigns\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe are pleased to present a supreme work by Sugawara Kanenori, Imperial Household Artist (Teishitsu Gigeiin) alongside Gassan Sadakazu — a historic masterpiece dated an auspicious day in October of Taishō 1 (1912). This shōbu-zukuri tantō, forged at the age of 83, displays an exquisitely refined ko-itame-hada set off by a luminous suguha and delicate sunagashi — the crowning achievement of a smith beloved across four imperial reigns, now certified by the NBTHK as a Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken and preserved in nearly flawless, superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOn the smith — Sugawara Kanenori (菅原包則)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSugawara Kanenori (Miyamoto Kanenori, 1830–1926), born in Hōki Province (present-day Tottori Prefecture), traveled to Osafune in Bizen Province, where he mastered the art of forging as a student of the master smith Yokoyama Sukekane. After becoming an official domain swordsmith for the Tottori clan, he relocated to Kyoto, where he forged blades for the loyalist (sonnō jōi) samurai of the day, and he himself served in the Boshin War. From the time he forged a ceremonial sword for the accession of Emperor Meiji, he went on to forge swords, protective daggers, and sacred treasures for the Ise Grand Shrine across four imperial reigns — Kōmei, Meiji, Taishō, and Shōwa — earning his reputation as the foremost swordsmith to the Imperial Household. In 1906 (Meiji 39), he was named, alongside Gassan Sadakazu, the first swordsmith ever appointed Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Household Artist — a forerunner of today's Living National Treasure designation). Having lived through a tumultuous era, his work, carrying forward the legitimate traditions of the old masters, is highly regarded today as a treasure of both dignity and artistic value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Teishitsu Gigeiin system and its authority\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Teishitsu Gigeiin system was established by the Imperial Household in 1890 (Meiji 23) to protect and honor outstanding artists and craftsmen, and is the forerunner of today's Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder (Living National Treasure) designation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was the highest honor in the art world of its time, with masters selected from fields as diverse as painting, sculpture, ceramics, and lacquer art — yet in the field of swordsmithing, only two individuals were ever named: Gassan Sadakazu (1st generation) and Sugawara Kanenori (Miyamoto Kanenori). This stands as proof of their achievement in keeping the traditional art of the Japanese sword alive, and bringing it to its utmost heights, even through the hardships of the era following the Haitōrei (Sword Abolishment Edict).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDesignated a Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken (Especially Worthy of Preservation) by the Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai (NBTHK), this superb blade is in a nearly flawless, superb condition, with no old damage or notable defects visible. The jigane is a ko-itame-hada (fine wood-grain pattern) forged with exceptional precision, fine ji-nie applied evenly throughout to give a bright, clear surface. The hamon is founded on a suguha-chō (straight-leaning temper line) with a gentle temper-start showing small ko-midare and ko-nie, a supremely bright, clear nioiguchi running smoothly along the temper edge. Fine nie appear within the hamon and along its edge, flowing sunagashi (sand-streak lines) and delicate kinsuji (gold-thread lines) mingling throughout, and the yakisage (lowered temper) running toward the mune (spine), distinctive of shōbu-zukuri construction, is taut and precise — a truly stunning finish, rich with points of interest at every turn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade presents a crisply honed shōbu-zukuri (iris-leaf style) form, its ridge line running from mune to edge and its dignified sori (curve) together lending it an elegant bearing. The nakago (tang) is a sound, ubu (unaltered) tang, retaining the form it held at the time of forging, inscribed on the front with \"Teishitsu Gigeiin Sugawara Kanenori, age 83, saku\" (帝室技芸員菅原包則八十三作) and on the back with \"Taishō gannen jūgatsu kichijitsu, ō Tasaka Hatsurō-kun kō saku kore\" (大正元年十月吉日 応田坂初郎君好作之 \/ an auspicious day in October, Taishō 1 [1912], made at the request of Mr. Tasaka Hatsurō) — the characters cut with a vigorous, crisp chisel hand hard to believe of an 83-year-old, speaking to the unshaken confidence of a true master.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe mounting (shirasaya)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe shirasaya (plain wood resting scabbard) preserving this blade is finished with beautiful, fine-grained wood and exceptionally precise woodworking, maintaining a sound condition that protects the blade in its finest state. The fittings further include a kin-kise habaki (gold-foil-wrapped blade collar), further enhancing the dignity of this fine tantō. Among custom-ordered works by a Teishitsu Gigeiin, examples preserved in such excellent condition across blade, nakago, and mounting alike are rare, further securing the historical and artistic value this piece holds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA supreme tantō, meticulously forged to special order at the milestone of Taishō 1 (1912) by Sugawara Kanenori, Teishitsu Gigeiin, a figure who shines brilliantly in the history of modern swordsmithing. Beyond the assured quality of its Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken designation, its nearly flawless, superb condition deeply captivates all who hold it. A supreme tantō reflecting the skill and history of a master beloved by the Imperial Household — we warmly invite you to enjoy the rare pleasure of holding a cultural heritage piece passed down across the ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Tantō (短刀), shōbu-zukuri; ubu, zaimei (signed); Taishō era (October 1912)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmith: Sugawara Kanenori (菅原包則, also known as Miyamoto Kanenori), Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Household Artist); Hōki Province (Tottori); student of Yokoyama Sukekane\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSignature (mei): Front: \"Teishitsu Gigeiin Sugawara Kanenori, age 83, saku\" (帝室技芸員菅原包則八十三作); Back: \"Taishō gannen jūgatsu kichijitsu, ō Tasaka Hatsurō-kun kō saku kore\" (大正元年十月吉日 応田坂初郎君好作之)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJigane: Finely forged ko-itame-hada, even ji-nie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHamon: Suguha-chō with ko-midare and ko-nie, bright nioiguchi, sunagashi and kinsuji\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLength of edge (nagasa): 21.2 cm (approx. 8.35 in \/ approx. 7 sun)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCurvature (sori): 0 cm (mu-sori)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWidth at base (motohaba): 21.7 mm (approx. 0.85 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThickness at base (motokasane): 6.1 mm (approx. 0.24 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight (blade only): 150 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNakago: Ubu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting: Shirasaya, with kin-kise habaki\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCertification: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRegistration No.: Saitama No. 64343 (埼玉 第64343号)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53990366282091,"sku":"611-STT064343","price":750000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/64343_0.jpg?v=1791269701","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/antique-japanese-tanto-sword-kanenori-gendai-era-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-21-2-cm","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}