{"product_id":"authentic-shinto-era-tanto-for-sale-mumei-tozando-1","title":"Authentic Shintō Era Tanto for Sale - Mumei | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAntique Japanese Kaiken (futokoro-gatana) — unsigned (mumei), mid-Edo period — a rare tanto of under 16 cm — ubu, in shirasaya with a copper habaki\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAn unusually small ubu, unsigned mid-Edo kaiken · itame with fine ji-nie · a clear, ko-nie suguha · a rarely-seen sub-16 cm size, trim and beautifully refined\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn antique \u003cem\u003ekaiken\u003c\/em\u003e (\u003cem\u003efutokoro-gatana\u003c\/em\u003e, a small dagger carried in the breast of the kimono) of the uncommon size of under 16 cm — a rare survivor of which few examples remain. Judged to be a work of the mid-Edo period, it is small yet very trim and shapely, carrying the dignity of a blade made for personal protection or for ceremonial wear in its day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is in polished condition, though a little faint rust remains from an old polish (\u003cem\u003eko-togi\u003c\/em\u003e). Even so, the ground and edge throughout are exceptionally sound, allowing the healthy quality of the steel and the flavor of age to be fully enjoyed. The \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is an \u003cem\u003eitame-hada\u003c\/em\u003e with fine \u003cem\u003eji-nie\u003c\/em\u003e, retaining the beauty of the forging and the antique color of the steel. The \u003cem\u003ehamon\u003c\/em\u003e is a clear \u003cem\u003esuguha\u003c\/em\u003e of \u003cem\u003eko-nie-deki\u003c\/em\u003e, with delicate activity along the temper boundary — for all its small size, a blade of crisp dignity and sharpness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn extremely compact blade of under 16 cm. Antique \u003cem\u003ekaiken\u003c\/em\u003e of this size rarely appear on the market, giving the piece a high rarity value. Small though it is, the balance of \u003cem\u003emihaba\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ekasane\u003c\/em\u003e is good, and it boasts a very elegant, refined form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe mounting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kaiken comes in a plain wood \u003cem\u003eshirasaya\u003c\/em\u003e (resting scabbard), the traditional way to protect and conceal such a blade, together with a simple copper \u003cem\u003ehabaki\u003c\/em\u003e of period character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare mid-Edo, ubu, unsigned kaiken of the seldom-seen \"under 16 cm\" size. Although a little thin rust from an old polish remains, the ground and edge are exceptionally sound — a precious little piece that combines historical value with genuine charm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kaiken \/ futokoro-gatana (small tanto, hira-zukuri)\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 Mid-Edo period (attributed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e itame with fine ji-nie; antique steel color\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e clear suguha of ko-nie-deki, with delicate activity\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade length (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 15.8 cm \/ 6.22 in (about 5 sun 2 bu)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.1 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 21.3 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.2 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade only):\u003c\/strong\u003e 90 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e polished; slight faint rust remaining from an old polish; ji and ha very sound\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e shirasaya (plain wood resting scabbard) with a simple copper habaki\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTorokushō (Japanese registration) No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Saitama 84092\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53600852083051,"sku":"611-ATQSWD-saitama84092","price":130000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/saitama84092_mumei_1.jpg?v=1784856803","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-shinto-era-tanto-for-sale-mumei-tozando-1","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}