Shinshinto Utsushi Of A Kamakura Jidai Tanto

[Shugyosha]

Shinshinto utsushi of a Kamakura jidai tanto

Offered for sale, a cute tanto in a shirasaya with a sword bag. This is a later copy of a Kamakura jidai tanto with the fanciful gimei signature “Rai Kuniyoshi”. Approximate measurements:

 

Nagasa: 22.8cm

 

Motohaba: 1.9cm

 

Motokasane: 6mm

 

Jihada: Itame with some itame nagare

 

Hamon: Suguba in nioi deki

 

Nakago: Furisode nakago,Ubu (maybe slightly machi okuri), 3 mekugi ana, false signature.

 

Horimono: Bo hi ni soebi on one side and something that is like gombashi on the other and for which I can’t find a name in Japanese: two lines but each comprised of two finer lines.

 

A nice, well-made tanto with no significant flaws beyond some scuff marks under the habaki and a minor scratch (pictured). Comes with a well made habaki covered with silver foil.

 

Priced as a good quality, mumei shinshinto tanto, asking £SOLD plus Paypal but will include worldwide shipping. Comes with the usual guarantee: if this signature proves to be genuine then I will be more than happy to take back the item and refund the sale price. 

 

[Marius]

FYI: I used to own this one. Pictures do not do it justice.

 

This is a very nice tanto, so if you want an utsushi of a Kamakura tanto, the quality is very good and the price attractive. 

[Shugyosha]

Hi Marius,

 

Many thanks for the kind words. Hamish has offered me some better pictures (probably yours) so I'll post them when I get them if you don't mind.

 

Kind regards,

John

[Marius]

Of course I don't AFAIR they show some activities in the steel. Regrettably, I don't have these photos any more.

[Shugyosha]

Some better photos:

 

[Blazeaglory]

Its nice. What gives it away as not being Kamakura?

[Shugyosha]

The nakago and machi area:

 

The patina isn't consistent with most Kamakura era blades - the colour is too light and there's much less pitting and the yasurimei are still visible, the width of the blade above the tang and that of the tang are more or less identical indicating that it hasn't had many polishes - I'd expect the tang to be wider, whoever made it or did the machi okuri didn't square off the mune machi properly - the angle is a bit off - I'd expect more care to be taken with the genuine article and there's more ha machi than I'd expect, on the real thing there is practically none left.

 

These things aren't necessarily conclusive, you can find exceptions, but throw in the dodgy signature - I believe there are no known extant works by this smith, and it all adds up to a newer blade. A nice newer blade though.

[paulb]

Just to see how good a deal this is take a look at the gimei Kunimitsu on Aoi rt this morning. A nice blade with a less nice koshirae but starting at a lot higher price.

I think John's tanto is better. It  has a much better shape (in my humble opinion) and I think has a lot going for it. 

[Shugyosha]

Thanks Paul!!

 

Best,

John

[Blazeaglory]

The nakago and machi area:

 

The patina isn't consistent with most Kamakura era blades - the colour is too light and there's much less pitting and the yasurimei are still visible, the width of the blade above the tang and that of the tang are more or less identical indicating that it hasn't had many polishes - I'd expect the tang to be wider, whoever made it or did the machi okuri didn't square off the mune machi properly - the angle is a bit off - I'd expect more care to be taken with the genuine article and there's more ha machi than I'd expect, on the real thing there is practically none left.

 

These things aren't necessarily conclusive, you can find exceptions, but throw in the dodgy signature - I believe there are no known extant works by this smith, and it all adds up to a newer blade. A nice newer blade though.

Very good observations!

 

Still a very nice blade and if I didn't just buy a tanto i would make you an offer. But the urge to purchase is high so you might be hearing from me privately soon????????

 

D

[Shugyosha]

Now sold. Please archive. Thank you!.

[paulb]

thank goodness for that I was getting very twitchy. Congratulations to the lucky owner I think it is a good looking piece.