This is a historic tanto by the Shinshinto master Koyama Munetsugu, made in 1870 when he was 67 years old. It was presented to Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of Mitsubishi, as a reward for his efforts in the Boshin War. The blade features a wide mihaba, slight sori, fine itamehada with thick jinie, and a bright, clear jiba, making it a healthy and well-preserved masterpiece.
NihontoWatchmei · Tenpo (1830-1844) · nagasa 24.4cm
Hyuga · around 1830-1844
1 piece on the market now
Under the Tokugawa peace the daishō became a regulated uniform, and demand gathered in the castle towns, above all Edo itself. The craft split two ways: brilliant display work for connoisseurs, and tested blades whose cutting results were sometimes inlaid in gold.
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
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/cancellations not accepted after shipment except for significant defects; if defective, return/exchange possible within 3 days of arrival (return shipping paid by customer).
This is a historic tanto by the Shinshinto master Koyama Munetsugu, made in 1870 when he was 67 years old. It was presented to Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of Mitsubishi, as a reward for his efforts in the Boshin War. The blade features a wide mihaba, slight sori, fine itamehada with thick jinie, and a bright, clear jiba, making it a healthy and well-preserved masterpiece.
NihontoWatchmei · Tenpo (1830-1844) · nagasa 24.4cm
Hyuga · around 1830-1844
1 piece on the market now
Under the Tokugawa peace the daishō became a regulated uniform, and demand gathered in the castle towns, above all Edo itself. The craft split two ways: brilliant display work for connoisseurs, and tested blades whose cutting results were sometimes inlaid in gold.
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
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/cancellations not accepted after shipment except for significant defects; if defective, return/exchange possible within 3 days of arrival (return shipping paid by customer).