{"product_id":"authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-shinto-era-tanto-mumei-tozando","title":"Authentic Japanese Sword for Sale - Shinto Era Tanto - Mumei | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAntique Japanese Tanto (kaiken), unsigned (mumei) — early Edo period — ubu, hira-zukuri — in a chic aikuchi period koshirae with matched brass fittings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUbu, 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\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn \u003cem\u003eubu\u003c\/em\u003e (original-length), unsigned (\u003cem\u003emumei\u003c\/em\u003e) tanto said to date from the early Edo period. Of a size that nestles perfectly in the hand, it is in the highly popular \u003cem\u003ekaiken\u003c\/em\u003e (breast-dagger) proportion. Freshly polished, the blade is essentially flawless with a thoroughly sound ground and edge; and it comes with a chic, tasteful \u003cem\u003eaikuchi\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFreshly polished, the blade keeps a very fine, limpid condition in both ground and temper. The \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is a packed \u003cem\u003eko-itame\u003c\/em\u003e that stands up smoothly, showing a moist, densely worked forging. The \u003cem\u003ehamon\u003c\/em\u003e is based on a bright, clear \u003cem\u003eko-midare\u003c\/em\u003e, with fine \u003cem\u003eko-nie\u003c\/em\u003e along the temper edge and soft \u003cem\u003eashi\u003c\/em\u003e and a gentle \u003cem\u003enioiguchi\u003c\/em\u003e playing in here and there — flavorful activity to be admired. The tang (\u003cem\u003enakago\u003c\/em\u003e) is \u003cem\u003eubu\u003c\/em\u003e and, though unsigned, is wrapped in a beautiful chestnut-colored (\u003cem\u003ekuri-iro\u003c\/em\u003e) patina of age that quietly tells of the passing years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA trim, small \u003cem\u003ehira-zukuri\u003c\/em\u003e silhouette characteristic of a \u003cem\u003ekaiken\u003c\/em\u003e. The \u003cem\u003ekasane\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe koshirae\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe greatest appeal and highlight of this piece is its early-Edo \u003cem\u003eaikuchi\u003c\/em\u003e period mounting, a distillation of the taste of the age. The \u003cem\u003esaya\u003c\/em\u003e is finished in a deep, flavorful chestnut (\u003cem\u003ekuri-iro\u003c\/em\u003e) lacquer, while the hilt is done in a black \u003cem\u003eaogai-mijin\u003c\/em\u003e lacquer glittering with fine crushed blue-shell grains. The \u003cem\u003efuchi-kashira\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ekurikata\u003c\/em\u003e and other fittings form a warm, matched set of brass (\u003cem\u003eisshiki\u003c\/em\u003e fittings), and even the peg (\u003cem\u003emekugi\u003c\/em\u003e) 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tanto (hira-zukuri), kaiken \/ futokoro-gatana size\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e unsigned (mumei), ubu (un-shortened) tang\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e none\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early Edo period (attributed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e packed ko-itame, smoothly standing, moist and well forged\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e bright, clear ko-midare with ko-nie, soft ashi and a gentle nioiguchi\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade length (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 20.4 cm \/ 8.03 in (about 6 sun 7 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 22.8 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade only):\u003c\/strong\u003e 130 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (without scabbard):\u003c\/strong\u003e 180 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e freshly polished, essentially flawless, very sound\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTorokushō (Japanese registration) No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kumamoto 47408\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53732231643499,"sku":"611-KMT047408","price":180000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/kumamoto47406_mumei_1.jpg?v=1786940370","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-shinto-era-tanto-mumei-tozando","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}