{"product_id":"authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-shinshinto-era-tanto-mumei-tozando-1","title":"Authentic Japanese Sword for Sale - Shinshinto Era Tanto - Mumei | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAntique Japanese Tantō, unsigned (mumei) — a late-Edo \"Hōchō Masamune\" utsushi with sword and ritual-chopstick carvings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA broad, wide-bodied tantō modeled on the National Treasure \"Hōchō Masamune,\" carved on both faces with a suken and goma-bashi — very healthy, in shirasaya with a gold habaki\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is believed to be a tantō forged in the spirit of the late-Edo \u003cem\u003efukko-tō\u003c\/em\u003e (sword-revival) movement and its enthusiasm for re-creating famous blades, taking as its model the celebrated National Treasure \u003cstrong\u003e\"Hōchō Masamune\"\u003c\/strong\u003e — a masterpiece by the great Sōshū smith Masamune. Both faces bear superb carvings: a \u003cem\u003esuken\u003c\/em\u003e (straight ritual sword), a symbol of faith and protection against evil, on the front (\u003cem\u003eomote\u003c\/em\u003e), and a \u003cem\u003egoma-bashi\u003c\/em\u003e (paired ritual chopsticks) neatly incised on the back (\u003cem\u003eura\u003c\/em\u003e), lending the piece both artistic value and a noble dignity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinely polished, the blade retains a thoroughly healthy state with extremely few flaws or defects. The \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is a finely and densely packed \u003cem\u003eitame\u003c\/em\u003e (wood-grain), asserting a clear, moist, lustrous texture. The temper line is a leisurely, undulating \u003cem\u003enotare\u003c\/em\u003e (wave) mixed with \u003cem\u003egunome\u003c\/em\u003e, the temper edge covered with dense \u003cem\u003enie\u003c\/em\u003e that glows brightly. The elegant carvings on both faces, precise in design, further heighten the beauty of the steel and temper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA signature feature is its distinctive shape reminiscent of the \"Hōchō Masamune\": broad in the body and gently tapering — indeed slightly \"laid down\" — toward the tip, yet radiating powerful presence. It retains ample width and thickness, and the moderate heft in the hand together with the unusual form strongly draw the viewer's eye. It is of \u003cem\u003ehira-zukuri\u003c\/em\u003e construction with a shallow curvature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe mounting (shirasaya)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is housed in a fine, carefully made \u003cem\u003eshirasaya\u003c\/em\u003e. It is fitted with a gold single-piece-style (\u003cem\u003ekin-ichimai-fū\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003cem\u003ehabaki\u003c\/em\u003e — a sturdy yet gracefully showy finish that further sets off the dignity of the whole blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade carvings imbued with homage to the National Treasure \"Hōchō Masamune\" and deep religious feeling. Though unsigned, it is clear from the brilliance of its steel and temper that this is the work of a highly skilled master smith — a piece that reveals the advanced re-creative power and extraordinary passion of the late-Edo swordsmiths.\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; unsigned (mumei) — a \"Hōchō Masamune\" utsushi (copy)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarving (horimono):\u003c\/strong\u003e Omote — suken (素剣, straight ritual sword); Ura — goma-bashi (護摩箸, ritual chopsticks)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e Finely packed itame, clear and moist\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e Notare mixed with gunome, dense bright nie along the temper edge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength of edge (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 22.4 cm (approx. 8.82 in \/ approx. 7 sun 4 bu)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.3 cm (approx. 0.12 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 31.3 mm (approx. 1.23 in) — notably broad\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.1 mm (approx. 0.24 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade only):\u003c\/strong\u003e 210 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Finely polished; very healthy, with very few flaws\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shirasaya, with a gold single-piece-style (kin-ichimai-fū) habaki\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegistration No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mie No. 25204 (三重 第25204号)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53819852587371,"sku":"611-MET025204","price":400000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/mie25204_mumei_1.jpg?v=1788768043","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-shinshinto-era-tanto-mumei-tozando-1","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}