Mumei Naoe Shizu Tanto Nanbokucho Period in Shirasaya

Type: Tanto

Nakago: Mumei, ubu

Period: Nanbokucho period, ca. 1330–1350 AD

Papers: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

Horimono: None

Habaki: Gold-foiled habaki

Koshirae: None, shirasaya

Specifications:

Nagasa (Cutting-edge length): 18.50cm

Sori (Curvature): Nearly none

Motohaba: To be measured

Kasane: To be measured

Description:

Attributed to the Naoe Shizu school and authenticated by NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers. This is a small mumei tanto dating from the Nanbokucho period, approximately 1330–1350 AD, representing one of the important early traditions of Mino Province.

The Naoe Shizu school developed from the lineage of Shizu Saburo Kaneuji, who had originally belonged to the Yamato Tegai tradition and later became closely associated with Soshu-den. Kaneuji is traditionally counted among the Ten Great Disciples of Masamune. His students and successors later worked at Naoe in Mino Province, where their tradition became known collectively as Naoe Shizu.

Naoe Shizu therefore represents an important combination of Soshu and early Mino workmanship. This Tanto features a mostly itame-hada composition, together with some mokume areas. With a Gunome hamon, with stunning hataraki, including sunagashi and kinsuji. There are also some nie particles visible on the Tanto.

The Tanto is in good condition, well polished and ready to be loved. Appreciating the workmanship on a tanto like this is really nice, as you can get really close to the activity. The Nakago has some recently done yasurime, but is still ubu but unsigned. Interestingly the sword has both its original Hozon and Tokubetsu Hozon papers, both attributing it to Naoe Shizu. The Tanto was polished before being submit for Tokubetsu Hozon as can be seen when you compare the images of the Hozon and Tokubetsu Hozon papers.

See this YouTube video of this tanto:

https://youtube.com/shorts/0dO7iJDuqJU