NihontoWatchThis Tanto blade was created and signed by Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa(酒井一貫斎繁政), one of the most famous swordsmiths in the post Samurai era. Shigemasa(his born was Sakai Kan) was born in the 38th year of the Meiji era(1905 ) as the third son of Sakai Anjiro in Shizuoka city, Japan. And, he became an apprentice of Kasama Shigetsugu（笠間繁継), a well-known swordsmith in the 10th year of the Taisho era(1921), when he was still a teenager. After 15 years of continuous training, he finally received one of the letters of his master, “繁,” and he started to signed as Shigemasa(繁正). He became an independent swordsmith in the 8th year of the Showa era(1933). Since then, he became Rikugun Jyumei Tosho(陸軍受命刀匠), which was the title given by the Japanese military to skilled Japanese swordsmiths during Taisho-the early Showa period. To receive this title, a swordsmith forged two swords and submitted them to the governmental agency that produced weapons. After passing the particular and rigorous exam there, the swordsmith would be acknowledged as Rikugun Jyumei Tosho. We assumed he primarily forged swords for the Japanese military before and during World War Ⅱ. After World War Ⅱ, he changed his name to Ikkansai Shigemasa(一貫斎繁政) and kept forging for the rest of his life. He was selected as a Mukansa swordsmith by NBTHK(Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai). Based on the signature on the tang, this Tanto blade was forged when he was 80 years old(1985). He died at the age of 91 in 1996. While he was known for his highly skilled forging technique, he was also excellent at engraving his work. The engraving of this blade was also done by Shigemasa. Its design is Fudo Myo O engraving. Fudo Myo-O (不動明王, acalanātha) is engraved at this part of the sword. Fudo Myo-O is one of the objects of worship in Buddhism. According to a theory, it is the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来, Mahāvairocana, the principal image of esoteric Buddhism). Fudo Myo-O is a motif with miraculous virtues. What is a Mukansa swordsmith? It is one of the most honorable titles a modern swordsmith could receive. One with this title could submit his work to the Japanese sword exhibition held by NBTHK(Nihon Bijyutu Touken Hozon Kyokai) without being examined. In contrast, other sword makers need to pass a rigorous test to participate in this event. This fact also suggests he was a great swordsmith in modern times. There are only 39 Mukansa swordsmiths now since the exhibition started in 1955. This exhibition is held by NBTHK once a year, and modern swordsmiths compete for their craftsmanship there. About Modern Swordsmith There are around 150-200 swordsmiths in Japan today. To legally produce Japanese swords, one needs to pass the national exam given by the Agency for Cultural Affairs(Bunka-Cho) and receive the license. Before taking the exam, one must finish his or her apprenticeship under a licensed master for more than five years. Those who practice Iaido(居合道) tend to use those modern swords, and there are modern Japanese sword collectors nationwide. The modern Japanese sword makers are researching old ways to forge swords and trying to recreate ancient-style swords. They are the ones who keep the tradition of Japanese history alive. This sword has a Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). Nakago The front of the signature says “Musashikoku Tokigawa Seto Jyu Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa Kitae Saku nari”. It means this blade was forged by Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa living in Musashikoku Tokigawa Seto. The back says Showa Rokujyu Ichhu Nen Shoshun Kojitsu Hachijyu Ou Hori Douzukuri. It means this blade was forged when he was 80 years old and the year was 1985. The forging and engraving were both done by him. Horimono Horimono is an inscription or sculpture on Japanese swords. Other Details Fuchi-Kashira Buddhist altar fittings are designed for this Fuchi Kashira. The short mallet put on the Fuchi is Dokko-Sho (独鈷杵, a kind of Kongo-Sho, called vajra in Sanskrit), which has one edge for each side. It is a tool used in some denominations of Japanese Buddhism such as the Tendai sect (天台宗), the Shingon sect (真言宗), or the Zen sect (禅宗), and all denominations of Tibetan Buddhism. Initially, it was a weapon that ancient Indian gods had. So, Kongo-Sho (金剛杵) was likened to a weapon in Indian mythology. They believed that the teachings of the Buddha cut off worldly desires, and this item would express Bodai-Shin (菩提心, bodhicitta, the spirit of seeking enlightenment). Another motif that is applied to the Kashira is similar to a waterwheel. It might be Rinbou (輪宝, also called Rinpou). It was initially a throwing weapon in ancient India. It is one of the seven treasures of Tenrin-Jouou (転輪聖王, same as 転輪王, Cakravarti-rājan, legendary king in ancient India). Like Kongou-Sho, Rinbou was adopted to Buddhism, and people thought this tool would also work to exorcize earthly desires. Tsuka and Menuki Same as Fuchi Kashira, this Menuki’s motif is a type of Kongou-Sho. It has three edges for each side. There is a handle in the center, and the sharp part is the blade of a spear. The name varies depending on the number of blades. Since this Kongou-Sho has three blades for each side, this Menuki’s motif is San-Kosho (三鈷杵). Due to these selections for the sword mounting, we would like to imagine that one of the former owners of this sword might have been a believer in esoteric Buddhism. Tsuba and Habaki Yotsu-Mokkou-shaped Tsuba made from iron. This Tsuba is tiny and slight appearance. The cherry blossom and ivy patterns are inlaid with brass. Cherry blossom is one of the seasonal things of spring, and it has been loved for a long time. Its pattern is designed not only for sword mountings but also for Kimono (traditional Japanese costume) or furnishings. It has believed that the god of grain exists in cherry blossom. Therefore, this flower pattern has been treated as the symbol of a rich harvest. People held a traditional custom under cherry blossom trees to pray for a bumper year in ancient times. According to a theory, it is the origin of the cherry-blossom viewing picnic today. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on Aug 28th in the second year of Reiwa (2020). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society.
Offered by Samurai Museum
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As written by the shop
around 1926-1989
4 pieces on the market now
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.
Certifies a genuine blade worth preserving: a signature confirmed correct, or, if unsigned, an era, province, and school that the NBTHK can reliably identify.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteReturns/exchanges limited to defects caused by shipping (except willful misconduct or gross negligence by the company); customers must contact within 72 hours of receiving the product.