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TANTO_ AIKUCHI


roger dundas

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44.5 cms overall, 22.3 cm blade . Is the maker's name ' Tsugu Fumi Iye' and if so, does anyone know if he is he a known maker ?

Scabbard lacquer includes the Yamanouchi mon with two others. All over in good condition.

The information about the mon etc came from the vendor.

Are the photos adequate as I welcome any and all input.  Thank you in anticipation.

Tanto 1.JPG

Tanto 2.JPG

Tanto 3.JPG

Tanto 4.JPG

Tanto 5.JPG

Tanto 6.JPG

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That is an encouraging response Piers and I really am grateful to you for that. It (to me) has a lovely slender blade, quite straight but the scabbard maker has chosen to make it with a shallow curve- a nice touch I feel plus the understated mon included in the lacquer finish.

Why I like your comment is because I wondered if someone might say-  just a run of the mill outfit. I find nihonto still somewhat elusive in understanding with any degree of confidence, particularly the worthiness of the blades .

 

Roger j

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Haha Roger, now you are tempting  me out onto a limb here. I genuinely like what you have. It uses a variety of precious metals and is tastefully done with good-looking tosogu accessories, and that Kamon! What's not to like? :wub: Just add 'Special Delivery' on the package.

(Cue voice, stage left: "just a run-of-the-mill outfit")

 

. Often people will show me a very nice scabbard, with the line that the blade is only a 'tsunagi' which I can throw in the river if I like. What are they trying to say, I sometimes wonder?

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For what it is worth Roger I like it to. All sits together nicely and is an interesting piece. Don't get too put off by the "run of the mill" type comment. Everyone's perception of quality is  different and often influenced  by whether they like a particular decoration or style or not.

Your piece looks well made of good quality and in good condition. I also think the blade has more to tell you when you have it in hand

well done

Paul

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Dear Roger.

 

I have to agree, it's a nice package.  Lovely restrained design for the koshirae.  Someone thought a lot of the blade to put it into this mount.

 

Quote

I also think the blade has more to tell you when you have it in hand

You might do well to examine it with a copy of "Facts and Fundmentals" to hand.

 

All the best.

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Roger, I am afraid that my comment about the blade (without having actually looked at it) may have come across as negative. My intention was general advice, to be prepared for anything, as often a dealer will slip a lesser quality or doubtful blade into a nice Koshirae. Every trick in the book out there. I can imagine someone high up in the Yamauchi/Yamanouchi  Daimyo family carrying this in their obi.

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I must be a bit slow here Uwe and Piers but you say Uwe- "One of the few occasions where an assignment can be made clearly".... and I think it might be the Yamanouchi mon and the 'mountain symbol' ? or was it just the Yamanouchi mon ?

I often enough need things spelled out.

Again thank you both for your interest.

Just for your interest I bought it here in Melbourne at an Arms Fair in 2008 from a Sydney collector (non specialist but with  a broad range of interests).First chance for me- our Arms Fairs are mostly about guns and rifles (many ex military) and have greatly degenerated over the years IMO.

Roger j

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In principle yes Roger!

To pin down a family (or clan) alone based on a mon is very difficult to impossible. The mon on your koshirae is called “Naka-wa ni tosagashiwa” (Tosa oak leaves in a ring) an was carried by several families (but not so many as “usual”). Luckily, the kanji “内“ for “uchi“ was added, crowned by the symbol for mountain (Yama). So it’s quite save to assume, that the mountings going back to the Yamanouchi in Tosa! 

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