{"product_id":"authentic-shinto-era-wakizashi-for-sale-tomoyuki-nbthk-tokubetsu-kicho-certificate-tozando-1","title":"Authentic Shinshinto Era Tanto for Sale - Mumei, NBTHK Kicho Certificate | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAntique Japanese Tanto, unsigned attributed to Sukemitsu (伝 祐光) — Yokoyama Kijūrō Sukemitsu of Hitachi (Mito domain) — late-Edo Ansei era — NBTHK Kichō Tōken — ubu, custom-order kanmuri-otoshi form, in shirasaya\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUbu, unsigned tanto attributed to the Mito-domain master Yokoyama Sukemitsu · a custom-order (chūmon-uchi) blade in thick kanmuri-otoshi \/ shōbu-zukuri form with a full bō-hi · finely forged ko-itame · gentle ko-notare with ko-gunome · NBTHK Kichō Tōken papered\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA strikingly individual and high-toned \u003cem\u003eubu\u003c\/em\u003e (original-length), unsigned (\u003cem\u003emumei\u003c\/em\u003e) tanto, worthy of its NBTHK \u003cem\u003eKichō Tōken\u003c\/em\u003e (\"Precious Sword\") authentication. Made in the late Edo period, around the Ansei era (1854–1860), by a swordsmith active in Hitachi province (present-day Ibaraki), it is a \u003cem\u003echūmon-uchi\u003c\/em\u003e — a special custom order in which a samurai or discerning patron projected his own sense of beauty onto the blade — and is attributed by the NBTHK to \u003cem\u003eSukemitsu\u003c\/em\u003e (伝 祐光).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFreshly polished and nearly flawless, the blade shows a ground and edge in very sound (\u003cem\u003ekenzen\u003c\/em\u003e) condition. What first catches the eye is the thick \u003cem\u003ekasane\u003c\/em\u003e and the \u003cem\u003ekanmuri-otoshi\u003c\/em\u003e construction, in which the upper back is boldly beveled down. To the crisp sharpness of a \u003cem\u003eshōbu-zukuri\u003c\/em\u003e form it adds the strength of the kanmuri-otoshi profile — a tanto with the spirit of a practical fighting blade. A \u003cem\u003ebō-hi\u003c\/em\u003e (straight groove) is carefully carved through from the base up into the \u003cem\u003eshinogi-ji\u003c\/em\u003e: not merely to lighten the blade but as a deliberate design element, giving the elaborate surface composition that only a true custom order tends to receive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForm and workmanship of the blade\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is a finely and carefully forged \u003cem\u003eko-itame\u003c\/em\u003e (small wood-grain), beautifully packed — a superb skin that reveals the master's meticulous hand. The \u003cem\u003ehamon\u003c\/em\u003e is based on a calm, gently undulating \u003cem\u003eko-notare\u003c\/em\u003e, into which refined, softly rounded \u003cem\u003eko-gunome\u003c\/em\u003e mix with elegance. The boundary with the ground (\u003cem\u003ehabuchi\u003c\/em\u003e) is bright and clear white, drawing the eye with a deep, satisfying appeal. From tang to tip the temper is without any \u003cem\u003ehagire\u003c\/em\u003e or slackening — a flawless, thoroughly healthy hamon to be savored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe smith — Yokoyama Kijūrō Sukemitsu of Hitachi\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough unsigned, the blade is judged (\u003cem\u003eden\u003c\/em\u003e) to be the work of \u003cem\u003eYokoyama Kijūrō Sukemitsu\u003c\/em\u003e. Sukemitsu was a master smith who served as a retained swordsmith of the Mito domain (present-day Ibaraki) in the late Edo (\u003cem\u003ebakumatsu\u003c\/em\u003e) period. His rare skill was highly esteemed, and in Kaei 2 (1849) he was taken into the service of the Mito lord Tokugawa Nariaki, invited to the Shirahatayama arms manufactory that Nariaki established and becoming one of the domain's representative smiths. Amid the storm of \u003cem\u003esonnō-jōi\u003c\/em\u003e (\"revere the Emperor, expel the barbarians\") that swept the age, when the Mito Tengu-tō rose in arms in Genji 1 (1864) demanding the closing of Yokohama port, Sukemitsu himself is said to have joined that Tengu-tō uprising — a smith whose life ran through the very heart of the bakumatsu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe shirasaya\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tanto is preserved in a plain wood \u003cem\u003eshirasaya\u003c\/em\u003e (resting scabbard) with a copper \u003cem\u003ehabaki\u003c\/em\u003e, accompanied by a wooden placeholder blade (\u003cem\u003etsunagi\u003c\/em\u003e) — a clean, respectful way to keep and enjoy a fine documented blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn ubu, unsigned late-Edo tanto attributed to the Mito master Yokoyama Sukemitsu — a custom-order blade of thick kanmuri-otoshi form with a full bō-hi, its finely forged ko-itame and bright ko-notare temper preserved in near-flawless condition and carrying the NBTHK's Kichō Tōken authentication. A distinctive, historically resonant piece, ready to appreciate exactly as it is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tanto, kanmuri-otoshi–zukuri (shōbu-zukuri character), with bō-hi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e unsigned (mumei), ubu (un-shortened) tang; attributed to Sukemitsu (伝 祐光)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e NBTHK \u003cem\u003eKichō Tōken\u003c\/em\u003e (認定書), issued October 2, 1960 (Shōwa 35)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Edo period, ca. Ansei era (1854–1860)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmith \/ domain:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yokoyama Kijūrō Sukemitsu — Hitachi province, retained smith of the Mito domain (present-day Ibaraki)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e finely forged ko-itame, beautifully packed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e gentle ko-notare with refined ko-gunome; bright, clear habuchi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade length (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 26.5 cm \/ 10.43 in (about 8 sun 7 bu; NBTHK papers: 26 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 28.1 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.8 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade only):\u003c\/strong\u003e 220 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 shirasaya (plain wood resting scabbard) with copper habaki; wooden tsunagi included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTorokushō (Japanese registration) No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nagano 25584\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53552280830315,"sku":"611-ATQSWD-Nagano25584","price":320000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/8_932cb4b2-01dd-4816-b424-afdc56dad1e7.jpg?v=1784161741","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-shinto-era-wakizashi-for-sale-tomoyuki-nbthk-tokubetsu-kicho-certificate-tozando-1","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}