Mumei Koto Tanto with NBTHK attributed to Chikushi Ryokai

2devnul · July 21

Hi,

I'm chasing for money so putting also this nice recent acquisition for sale. Price 800EURO, located in Poland/EU (no customs withing EU).

Mumei Koto Tanto, NBTHK attributed to Chikushi Ryokai.

Nagasa : 212mm

Sori : 0mm

Total length : 345mm

Motohaba : 22.8mm

Sakihaba : 15.1mm

Motokasane : 3.9mm

Sakikasane : 3.5mm

Chikushu Ryokai (筑州了戒), often referred to as Tsukushi Ryokai, represents a branch of the Yamashiro Ryokai school that moved to Chikuzen Province (Chikushu) in Kyushu during the early Muromachi period. They are distinct from the earlier Yamashiro Ryokai school of the late Kamakura period.
The founder, Ryokai Iyeyoshi (first generation), moved from Yamashiro to Chikuzen (Bungo/Chikushu area) around the Oei era (1394–1428).

Characteristics (Sugata/Jitetsu): The blades often feature high-quality jitetsu (steel forging) with a strong itame-hada mixed with fine ko-nie. Shirake utsuri (a faint white reflection) is often present, which is a hallmark of the school.
Hamon: Typically, the hamon is ko-nie deki suguha (straight hamon with small nie) and the nioi-guchi is soft.
Boshi: Often ko-maru (small turn-back) with a short return, sometimes yakizume (no turn-back) on the ura side.
Reputation: They are well-regarded smiths, with Ryokai Iyeyoshi (later generations) listed as Chu Jo Saku (middle-upper work) in Fujishiro’s sword guide.
Distinctions
While the Kamakura-period Yamashiro Ryokai focused on pure Yamashiro style, the Chikushu (Tsukushi) Ryokai works show a mix of Yamashiro and Kyushu influences, making their steel particularly admired for its strong activity, including chikei (fine black lines in the steel).
They are known for crafting both swords (katana/wakizashi) and converting styles, such as modifying kikuchi yari (spears) into tanto (daggers).