G15984(T8582) Tanto unsigned attributed to Echizen SHIMOSAKA	NTHK(Shoshin)
Shinto Early Edo period (Kanei era/about 380 years ago) Echizen Length of cutting edge27.8cm Uchizori curve Width of base27.6mm Thickness of base6.0mm
Sugata(configuration) : Shobu/Hira-zukuri Tanto, Iori-mune. Shinogi-ridge in front is high and mass in Shinogi-ji is shaved off toward the back ridge. Downward curve long tanto with upper FUKURA in full. There is a "Sword motif Falg" carving in front and the reversed side is chaiselled with "Sou-style Kurikara dragon" entwined to a sword. (click HERE for higher resolution) Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is fine Itame (wooden grain) and flowing masame straight grains mark partially. Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is Nioi based straight with irregular Komidare. Boshi (tip): The temper of the tip is Yakizume no return. Nakago(tang) : Unsigned. Original UBU which holds an original mekugi-ana retaining hole. Shallow Katte-sagari (slight slanging left) file mark. The shape of bottom is Iriyama V-shape. This is an unsigned tanto with extraordinary shape - Shobu-zukuri in front and Hira-zukuri in reversed side. From the steel forging pattern and age of patina, it's age is appraised as early Edo period by SHIMOSAKA in Echizen province. One of the SHIMOSAKA smiths had changed his name to YASUTSUGU on the 11th month of Keicho(1606) and his school had been flourishing until end of Edo period in Edo and Echizen province. This work was judged as the work by SHIMOSAKA school to say [Echizen Shimosaka]. Gold plated double layer habaki collar, Shira-saya (Sayagaki says Owari-koku Sagami-no-kami MASATSUNE 1st gen.)