{"product_id":"authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-gendai-era-tanto-nobuhide-tozando","title":"Authentic Japanese Sword for Sale - Gendai Era Tanto - Nobuhide | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAntique Japanese Tantō, signed \"Nobuhide\" (信秀) — by the Meiji-era Osaka master Takahashi Nobuhide, with NBTHK Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken certification\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA 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\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA superb tantō by \u003cstrong\u003eTakahashi Nobuhide (高橋信秀)\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarefully polished, the blade retains outstanding health with very few flaws or defects. The \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is a finely and densely packed \u003cem\u003eitame\u003c\/em\u003e (wood-grain), clear and crisp, kept in immaculately polished condition. The temper line is based on a bright, clear \u003cem\u003esuguha\u003c\/em\u003e (straight hamon) in \u003cem\u003eko-nie\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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 (\u003cem\u003emu-sori\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOn the smith — Takahashi Nobuhide (高橋信秀)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBorn in Izumo Province (Shimane), Nobuhide first entered the school of the celebrated smith \u003cstrong\u003eTakahashi Naganobu\u003c\/strong\u003e, a domain smith of Matsue Castle (186,000 \u003cem\u003ekoku\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003cem\u003ekoku\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003cstrong\u003eGassan Sadaichi\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 (\u003cem\u003eHaitōrei\u003c\/em\u003e) 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe mounting (shirasaya)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is kept in a fine \u003cem\u003eshirasaya\u003c\/em\u003e that shows at a glance how carefully it has been handed down. The \u003cem\u003ehabaki\u003c\/em\u003e that supports the blade has a solid-silver-toned base finished with fine slanted file marks (\u003cem\u003eyasuri\u003c\/em\u003e), 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving 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).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tantō (短刀), hira-zukuri, mu-sori (no curvature)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmith:\u003c\/strong\u003e Takahashi Nobuhide (高橋信秀), Osaka (Meiji era); pupil of Unshū Naganobu and of Gassan Sadaichi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Nobuhide\" (信秀)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e Finely packed, clear itame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright, clear suguha in ko-nie, with a taut temper edge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength of edge (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 25.2 cm (approx. 9.92 in \/ approx. 8 sun 3 bu)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 0 cm (mu-sori)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 25.3 mm (approx. 1.00 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.8 mm (approx. 0.27 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade only):\u003c\/strong\u003e 200 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freshly polished; virtually flawless and very healthy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shirasaya, with a silver-toned habaki finished in fine slanted file marks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e NBTHK Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken (Especially Precious Sword)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegistration No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fukushima No. 27709 (福島 第27709号)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53819841151339,"sku":"611-FST027709","price":390000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/fukushima27709_nobuhide_1.jpg?v=1788767736","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-gendai-era-tanto-nobuhide-tozando","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}