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HITATSURA TANTO SHIMADA SUKEMUNE SHODAI c. 1532 CHUJOSAKU / WAZAMONO NTHK SUGATA: HIRA ZUKURI MIHABA: 2.54cm HORIMONO URA: GOMA HASHI AND BONJI SHIRASAYA
SHIMADA SUKEMUNE, SHODAI c. 1532 This is a beautiful Koto period Tanto by the shodai or first generation Shimada Sukemune. The Shimada Ha was founded by Sukemune's older brother Yoshisuke of Suruga Province in the mid 1500's. Sukemune is recognized as one of the best smith's of the Shimada den. Suruga province is adjacent to Sagami province and they had close ties with the Soshu school. Shimada Sukemune's works were rated wazamono for sharpness in the "Kokin Kaji Bikosen" of Yamada Asauemon Yoshichika and "Chujosaku" by Fujishiro. Soshu influence is readily apparent in this tanto, from it's overall sugata or shape, to the hitatsura tempering. The hada is Itame with abundant chikei and some ji-nie sprinkled throughout, along with tobiyaki and muneyaki ie; Hitatsura. The Hamon is gorgeous nioi with scattered clouds of nie, nijuba, and abundant sunagashi. There are also horimono bilaterally. The omote side exhibits a "So no Kurikara" or ascending dragon and the Ura side exhibits "Goma Hashi and Bonji". The horimono have been worn down slightly from previous polishes. Please note however, this is completely acceptable in a piece of 400 + years in age. The Tanto is in excellent polish. It has a pristine high end gold foil habaki. Note, the habaki is one piece carved to resemble a two piece. It also has a high end shirasaya featuring ivory insets around the mekugi ana. This Tanto includes an attribution papers or Kantaisho to Shimada Sukemune by the NTHK. Papered, polished Tanto over 400 years old, high end habaki and shirasaya, all for only: $4250 USD
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