Antique Japanese Tantō, signed "Nobuhide" (信秀) — by the Meiji-era Osaka master Takahashi Nobuhide, with NBTHK Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken certification

A dignified, very healthy signed tantō in a bright ko-nie suguha by a rare smith who studied under Gassan Sadakazu — in shirasaya, an "Especially Precious Sword"

A superb tantō by Takahashi Nobuhide (高橋信秀), a master smith active in Osaka in the Meiji era, has arrived — accompanied by the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai) "Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken" (Especially Precious Sword) certificate. Freshly polished and virtually flawless, it is preserved in superb condition in both steel and temper. It concentrates the skill and spirit of a fine smith known as a pupil of the Bakumatsu master Unshū Naganobu and of the Osaka Imperial Household Artist Gassan Sadaichi. The clarity of its thoroughly forged steel and its pure, serene design captivate the viewer at a glance.

Workmanship and condition

Carefully polished, the blade retains outstanding health with very few flaws or defects. The jigane is a finely and densely packed itame (wood-grain), clear and crisp, kept in immaculately polished condition. The temper line is based on a bright, clear suguha (straight hamon) in ko-nie, the temper edge drawn tight and taut; both the ground and the interior of the hamon offer deep points of interest within their quietness. On the tang, the signature "Nobuhide" (信秀) stands out clearly with powerful chisel strokes.

Form

A dignified tantō of solid proportions, retaining ample width and thickness — the heft in the hand and the sturdy, substantial style represent a pinnacle of practical beauty. It is a form that houses refined elegance within its bold construction, with no curvature (mu-sori).

On the smith — Takahashi Nobuhide (高橋信秀)

Born in Izumo Province (Shimane), Nobuhide first entered the school of the celebrated smith Takahashi Naganobu, a domain smith of Matsue Castle (186,000 koku) in the Unshū (Izumo) domain. Recognized for his rich talent, he became Naganobu's adopted son and served as a domain smith of the Unshū clan, after which he was welcomed as a domain smith of Imabari Castle (35,000 koku) in Iyo Province (Ehime). Driven by ambition and a passion for further improvement, however, he went up to Naniwa (Osaka) and became a pupil of Gassan Sadaichi, then one of Japan's foremost master smiths (an Imperial Household Artist). He left works from around the Bakumatsu Kaei era through the early Shōwa period, but owing to the Sword Abolishment Edict (Haitōrei) his surviving works are extremely few. This is a historical treasure that concentrates the passion of a smith who inherited the techniques of great masters and lived through a turbulent age.

The mounting (shirasaya)

The blade is kept in a fine shirasaya that shows at a glance how carefully it has been handed down. The habaki that supports the blade has a solid-silver-toned base finished with fine slanted file marks (yasuri), a dense and dignified design that tightens the whole piece. It is a specification through which one can feel the unstinting passion and respect poured into the blade by generations of sword lovers.

Having served as a domain smith of the Unshū and Imabari clans before studying under Gassan Sadaichi, Takahashi Nobuhide raced through the turbulent Bakumatsu and Meiji periods. With very few works extant, of exceptionally high documentary value, and boasting the honed clarity of its steel and temper, this is a supreme tantō designated a "Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken" (Especially Precious Sword).

Specifications

• Type: Tantō (短刀), hira-zukuri, mu-sori (no curvature)
• Smith: Takahashi Nobuhide (高橋信秀), Osaka (Meiji era); pupil of Unshū Naganobu and of Gassan Sadaichi
• Signature (mei): "Nobuhide" (信秀)
• Jigane: Finely packed, clear itame
• Hamon: Bright, clear suguha in ko-nie, with a taut temper edge
• Length of edge (nagasa): 25.2 cm (approx. 9.92 in / approx. 8 sun 3 bu)
• Curvature (sori): 0 cm (mu-sori)
• Width at base (motohaba): 25.3 mm (approx. 1.00 in)
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 6.8 mm (approx. 0.27 in)
• Weight (blade only): 200 g
• Condition: Freshly polished; virtually flawless and very healthy
• Mounting: Shirasaya, with a silver-toned habaki finished in fine slanted file marks
• Certification: NBTHK Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken (Especially Precious Sword)
• Registration No.: Fukushima No. 27709 (福島 第27709号)