japanese sword / nihonto

This rare and exquisitely made Tanto comes in a decent older polish. The hamon is extremely subtle with a chu-suguha temper with much ko-nie. The blade was made in a very interesting style, probably from the shin-shinto era. The hada is a exuberant mix of large mokume burls and very finely done. The sword still shows off the blades fine qualities and reminds one of a possible link to the Gassan tradition. The tang in inlayed with a gold signature of Kanearashi. More than likely it is the name of the owner of this tanto and not of a smith. It has been inlayed in a very unique way and it is certainly not common to fine this type of inlay. The blade has the SHOBU-ZUKURI shape and is very interesting..

The koshirae are a mix of beautiful black lacquer work and appears to be from the Shinshinto era. This package is complete and well made finished with a beautiful gold/whitish tassel. There is a small menuki depicting a mon (family crest). A gold washed 2-piece habaki also finishes this blade.

Place special attention to the details to see the fine activity that this blade exhibits.