NihontoWatchSHIRASAYA SADAHITO, ENAMOTO Sadahito is the second son of Yusuishi Sadayoshi. Sadayoshi studied under Gassan Sadakatsu in Osaka. Later he relocated to Mishima in Shizuoka. He became Mukansa in 1996 and died in 2000. Enamoto Sadahito was born in 1954 and began his training under his father while in elementary school. He became a licensed sword smith in 1977. He specializes in Soshu den as well as the Gassan tradition. As this Tanto is inscribed with a woman’s name it seems obvious that it was forged as a Mamori-gatana. My only hesitation in listing it as a mamori-gatana is that they were typically mounted in koshirae. Perhaps the original owner intended to have a koshirae made, but for whatever reason the plan never came to fruition. Mamori-gatana are like Kaiken in that they were carried for protection by the samurai class. In that context these were and still are used as gifts for various special occasions such as weddings and funerals. This tanto was made in the US and is inscribed, “Ri Ri no Tame, Seiki-Matsu Aki no Hi”. This translates as “For Lilly, on a day in the fall at the end/turn of the century”. I enlisted Markus’s help with the reading of this and he said, it was the first “western” name he has seen used on a Nihinto. While the nakago is not dated the shirasaya is. It reads: Beikoku ni oite Heisei jūyonen rokugatsu hi “In the US, on a day in June of Heisei 14 (2002), Enomoto Eishichirō Sadahito This tanto is in excellent condition and would make a nice addition to the collector of tanto, gendaito, Sadahito fans, collectors of mamori-gatana, kaiken etc.
NihontoWatchOffered by Yakiba
2 on the market
Shinshinto · Shizuoka · around 1926-1989
2 pieces on the market now
Shinshinto · Settsu
28 pieces on the market now
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Sadaharu貞晴 | 1865-1868 | 0 |
| Sadayoshi貞吉 | 1926-1989 | 0 |
| Yoshiaki吉明 | 1844-1848 | 0 |
| Naonobu直信 | 1854-1860 | 0 |
| Sadayoshi貞吉 | 1830-1863 | 0 |
Shōwa to the present: destruction and revival
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
All swords sold for $5000 USD or less are considered final! Swords above the $5000 range may be returned for any reason within 48 hrs. Buyer will receive a full refund minus shipping/handling, insurance and or any fees incurred in shipping or sale.
$2,400