SUKESADA: A RARE YOROI-DOSHI TANTO IN FINE KOSHIRAE By Sukesada, signed Sukesada
Japan, mid-16^th century, Muromachi period (1336-1573)

The blade:
Hira-zukuri with iori mune, the hamon is hoso-suguha in nioi-deki, the hada is o-itame mokume, with faint utsuri. One side of the blade with a bohi and the other with two goma-bashi. The nakago is ubu with one mekugi-ana, the tip is kuri jiri, the mei (signature) reads SUKESADA.

The mounting:
The iron tsuba of oval form with one hitsu and a raised rope-twist rim. The plain habaki of copper. The fuchi and kashira by Yasuyuki with gold and shakudo takazogan depicting sea landscapes. The copper kozuka with a relief of the Monkey King (Son Goku), the silver two-part kogai with geometric decoration. The finely red-lacquered saya with a shakudo kojiri, a shakudo and gold fitting depicting fish amid aquatic plants, and an elaborately knotted sageo.

The blade is a rare yoroi-doshi (armor piercing) shape with carved horimono engraving to both sides. With a sealed rubbing of the blade.

NAGASA 22.3 cm, LENGTH 54 cm (the koshirae)

Condition: Very good condition with minor wear and few microscopic blisters.
Provenance: Dutch private collection.