Wakizashi: Mumei Sue seki
2017/03/13
Wakizashi in Shirasaya
Signature: Mumei(unsigned) attributed as Sue seki school.
The blade was polished.
Habaki:single silver habaki.
Blade length : 32.3 cm or 12.71 inches.
Sori : 0.3 cm or 0.1 inches.
Mekugi: 1
Width at the hamachi : 2.67 cm or 1.05 inches.
Kasane : 0.54 cm or 0.21 inches.
Era : Late Muromachi period.1570(440years ago)
Shape : The blade is wide and regular size thickness and sakizori style sunnobi tanto.
Jitetsu :Itame had well grained with jinie attach and chikei work and also shirake Utsuri appear.
Hamon : Koniedeki suguha with nezumiashi and Uchinoke hamon work.
Special feature : From the Jigane and Hamon, the blade is judged as Sue seek school.
On the Kissaki, mune area has small ware and also 3cm from the Kissaki also ware but not serious.
At late Muromachi period, many sunnobi tanto were made at Seki school .
At seek province, this kind of sunnobi tanto sakizori style with small sori were made for
some reason and on the contrary, Bizen school made regular tanto which is less
than 30cm and Takenoko sori style typical shape. This Tanto is quite same shape as Seki school.
It is very interesting that many Tanto were made at that period.
What is the reason? Seppuku, or take away high ranking enemy's head in order to show to
high ranking friend troop for proud of performing a great deed.
At Bizen school, regular style Tanto which is less than 30cm Takenoko sori was made
on the contrary to Bizen school made Sunnobi and wide and sakizori style Tanto.
It is very interesting new research agenda.
By the way, after the turmoil of the Warring States period end, making Tanto dramatically decreased.
At Edo period, few Tanto were made until late Edo period.
Historical background: turmoil of the Warring States period.
Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata.
Price：JPY 100,000-.
