Tanto, Shinshinto, Japan, Edo period (1600-1868) - Lot 88

Tanto, Shinshinto, Japan, Edo period (1600-1868) Blade signed 於陸奥白川藤原義秀 Oite Mutsu Shirakawa Fujiwara Yoshihide, Yoshihide of the Fujiwara clan residing at Shirakawa in Mutsu province; and dated 慶應二()年二月日 Keio ni (....) nen ni gatsuhi, one day in the second month of the second year of the Keio era, i.e. February 1866. Yoshihide was a blacksmith of good lineage, producing quality work in the neoclassical style reminiscent of Koto blades, active in his own name in the 1860s in northern Japan. The polished state of the blade does not allow us to appreciate its crystalline characteristics, however, the temper is clearly visible and there is no apparent chipping. Aikuchi koshirae, frame without guard, lacquered red in black, worn. Gold-embellished copper kozuka, signed 春明法眼() Haruaki Hogan (Kao), mid-19th century. Kogatana blade signed 了戒入道國光 Ryōkai Nyūdō Kunimitsu, apocryphal in tribute to a famous early XIVth century blacksmith working in Etchu province. Total length: 43 cm Fair condition Expert Sylvain LAMOTTE