Antique Japanese Tanto (kaiken), unsigned (mumei) — early Edo period — ubu, hira-zukuri — in a chic aikuchi period koshirae with matched brass fittings

Ubu, unsigned early-Edo kaiken tanto · smoothly forged ko-itame · a bright, clear ko-midare temper · housed in a stylish aikuchi mounting with a chestnut-lacquer saya, aogai-dust hilt, and a matched set of brass fittings

An ubu (original-length), unsigned (mumei) tanto said to date from the early Edo period. Of a size that nestles perfectly in the hand, it is in the highly popular kaiken (breast-dagger) proportion. Freshly polished, the blade is essentially flawless with a thoroughly sound ground and edge; and it comes with a chic, tasteful aikuchi period mounting dressed in matched brass fittings — conveying to this day the character of a treasured piece worn discreetly by a samurai or person of rank.

Workmanship and condition

Freshly polished, the blade keeps a very fine, limpid condition in both ground and temper. The jigane is a packed ko-itame that stands up smoothly, showing a moist, densely worked forging. The hamon is based on a bright, clear ko-midare, with fine ko-nie along the temper edge and soft ashi and a gentle nioiguchi playing in here and there — flavorful activity to be admired. The tang (nakago) is ubu and, though unsigned, is wrapped in a beautiful chestnut-colored (kuri-iro) patina of age that quietly tells of the passing years.

Form

A trim, small hira-zukuri silhouette characteristic of a kaiken. The kasane is solid for the width, so that even at this small size the blade conveys a dense heft when taken in hand. Its spare, honed lines are beautiful, showing the sure quality of the period craftsman's work.

The koshirae

The greatest appeal and highlight of this piece is its early-Edo aikuchi period mounting, a distillation of the taste of the age. The saya is finished in a deep, flavorful chestnut (kuri-iro) lacquer, while the hilt is done in a black aogai-mijin lacquer glittering with fine crushed blue-shell grains. The fuchi-kashira, kurikata and other fittings form a warm, matched set of brass (isshiki fittings), and even the peg (mekugi) is not the usual bamboo or wood but a Western-style, screw-fastened brass peg matched to the metalwork. An exotic, thoroughly considered design sense shines in every detail — a piece that conveys the former owner's exceptional aesthetic and a chic sensibility that still resonates today.

A superb world created by the keen brilliance of the polished ground and edge and a period koshirae of consummate style. It lets you savor, in your own hands, the aesthetic of the early Edo period — the transitional age when, as the long era of war gave way to peace, the tastes of the samurai rose from "tools of martial valor" toward "formal dignity and refined beauty." An ideal piece for both collection and appreciation.

Specifications

• Type: Tanto (hira-zukuri), kaiken / futokoro-gatana size
• Signature (mei): unsigned (mumei), ubu (un-shortened) tang
• Certification: none
• Period: Early Edo period (attributed)
• Jigane: packed ko-itame, smoothly standing, moist and well forged
• Hamon: bright, clear ko-midare with ko-nie, soft ashi and a gentle nioiguchi
• Blade length (nagasa): 20.4 cm / 8.03 in (about 6 sun 7 bu)
• Curvature (sori): 0 cm (mu-sori)
• Width at base (motohaba): 22.8 mm
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 6 mm
• Weight (blade only): 130 g
• Weight (without scabbard): 180 g
• Condition: freshly polished, essentially flawless, very sound
• Mounting: aikuchi period koshirae — chestnut (kuri-iro) lacquer saya, black aogai-mijin lacquer hilt, matched brass fittings (fuchi-kashira, kurikata, etc.), with a Western-style screw-fastened brass mekugi
• Torokushō (Japanese registration) No.: Kumamoto 47408