A tanto | Signed Bishu Osafune Kiyomitsu (Kiyomitsu of Osafune, Bizen Province) | Muromachi period, dated Tenbun jusan nen ni gatsu hi (a day in the 2nd month, 1543)

The Property of a European Collector

A tanto

Signed Bishu Osafune Kiyomitsu (Kiyomitsu of Osafune, Bizen Province)

Muromachi period, dated Tenbun jusan nen ni gatsu hi (a day in the 2^nd month, 1543)

Sugata [configuration]: hira zukuri

Kitae [forging pattern]: mixed itame and mokume hada

Hamon [tempering pattern]: suguha with slight peaks in fine nioi

Boshi [tip]: o-maru

Nakago [tang]: ubu, one mekugi-ana

Habaki [collar]: gold waves, single clad

In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard] with sayagaki

Koshirae [mount]: of later date, the black lacquered softwood ken koshirae with a dragon curled along the length chasing a sacred pearl, inlaid eyes, accompanied with a lacquered wood storage box with iron fittings

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 9.2 cm., 3⅝ in.

Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 1.9 cm., ¾ in.