Description

(Sayagaki: Kyubun No. 126 Awataguchi Kunitomo, Nagasa 6 sun 8 bu, Gotoba-in Ban-kaji A blade received by the Shimazu family from the Kan'in-no-miya family, Shimazu Yoritaka Kao) It has appeared, it has appeared—a tanto by Awataguchi Kunitomo, the founder of the Kyo-Awataguchi school, which has been carefully preserved through generations of an old family. It is an ancient tanto from the period between the late Heian and early Kamakura eras (1192), approximately 834 years ago, when the Taira clan was destroyed and Minamoto no Yoritomo established the Kamakura Bakufu; however, this tanto is strictly a "kibo-mei" (hopeful signature) piece, reflecting a "wouldn't it be wonderful if it were so" attribution. The sayagaki, unfortunately, also appears to be written with such "kibo" (hopeful) aspirations in mind. While Awataguchi Kunitomo was the son of the school's founder Kunimune, since no works by Kunimune remain, Kunitomo is considered the de facto founder of the Awataguchi school; nevertheless, this tanto remains a kibo-mei. The sugata of this tanto shows a yoroitoshi style with a thick moto-kasane and thin saki-kasane, featuring a distinct difference between the moto-mihaba and saki-mihaba. The jigane is ko-itame hada mixed with masame hada. The hamon is a hoso-suguha with a nioiguchi that has a slightly urumi-kokoro (moist/soft) quality, showing an antique style, but again, it is strictly a kibo-mei. On this occasion, we have received this from an old family who stated, "We have grown old, so please pass this on to someone who will cherish it." Therefore, we are offering this at a special bargain price for those who wish to own an Awataguchi Kunitomo tanto, even as a kibo-mei. Please enjoy it.