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.
This tanto is a work by Sumitani Masamine, a Living National Treasure. Crafted in 1993 when he was 72 years old, it features a refined form with a straight mune and a fine bo-hi. The jitetsu exhibits a tightly forged ko-itame hada with bright ji-nie, reminiscent of Bitchu Aoe's chirimen hada. The hamon is a bright reverse choji-midare with long ashi, and the boshi is a shallow midare-komi returning to ko-maru.
NihontoWatchmei · Gendaito · nagasa 24.3cm
Ishikawa · around 1921-1998
11 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.
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.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
¥1,250,000
This tanto is a work by Sumitani Masamine, a Living National Treasure. Crafted in 1993 when he was 72 years old, it features a refined form with a straight mune and a fine bo-hi. The jitetsu exhibits a tightly forged ko-itame hada with bright ji-nie, reminiscent of Bitchu Aoe's chirimen hada. The hamon is a bright reverse choji-midare with long ashi, and the boshi is a shallow midare-komi returning to ko-maru.
NihontoWatchmei · Gendaito · nagasa 24.3cm
Ishikawa · around 1921-1998
11 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.
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.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
¥1,250,000
