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Hamon : Nioi deki gunome midare. Some of the gunome are flat topped and this creates uma-ha or "horse tooth" shapes. There is abundant ashi. Inazuma can be found on both sides of the monouchi along with a sprinkling of ko-nie.
Boshi : Midare komi with swept sunagashi. This is active nie and short kaeri.
Kitae : Wet looking itame mixed with masame. The jigane is flowing and there is conspicuous mokume mixed in. Utsuri can be seen in the koshi on both sides of the blade and along omote mune as well.
Aboout this sword : The Bizen Tsuneie line of smiths are well regarded mainline Bizen makers of the Muromachi jidai. This tanto was appraised by the NTHK with Mr. Kentaro Yoshikawa as the Tsuneie that was active in the Bunmei period (1469 - 1487). He is the highest regarded of the Tsuneie line by Fujishiro at the Jo Saku level and he is ranked as Ryowazaomo by the Yamada family for the cutting ability of his swords. This is a well made blade and it shows characteristics of both Oei Bizen and Eikyo Bizen styles well. The horimono is original and very representative of Bizen tanto from this time. There is a ware on the omote as shown in the photos below. This tanto is accompanied by a lovley Ebi koshirae with matching fittings and a nice kozuka. This koshirae dates to Edo period and is in great condition. The carving of the demon faces on the kurikata and kashira are particularly delightful. There is a tsunagi for the koshirae. The blade has a deluxe shira-saya and a gold foil habaki. Storage bags for the the koshirae and shira-saya are also included. Overall this is a great opportunity to own a papered and polished mainline Koto Bizen blade. Its very difficult to find a nice complete package, such as this, in today's market and nearly unheard of at this this price. Priced by the owner for a quick sale.
$3900
