Archived Nihonto.ca (Yuhindo.com): Nobukuni Sandai
Sandai Nobukuni
| designation: | NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho (green papers) |
| period: | Late Oei |
| nakago: | ubu, 1 mekugiana |
| nagasa: | 27cm |
| price: | N/A |
The Nobukuni line of smiths is a very well known one, the Shodai being one of the three disciples of Sadamune, the famous son of Masamune.
This tanto is made by the third generation Nobukuni who was called Shikibunojo, and worked at the end of the Oei period (1429 according to Fujishiro). These tanto and wakizashi were popular it seems because it was a peaceful time, so the short weapons made for personal protection being less cumbersome than daito.
According to Fujishiro his typical style is wakizashi and tanto, and features horimono of suken and bonji. This piece fits in very well with this description.
There are some openings showing in the ji, as can be seen in the photographs. This piece is over 500 years old and as such is one that shows some of its age, even so, the hamon is pleasant and full of activity. That it is ubu and signed by the smith, also makes it a nice collectable piece.
In addition, this tanto is accompanied by good quality koshirae. They are shown in the slideshow pictures. This smith is rated Jo-saku by Fujishiro for excellent quality of manufacture.
The NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho (Extraordinarily Work) predate today’s rating system and are roughly equivalent to Tokubetsu Hozon. This sword also has a sayagaki that seems to be by Kanzan Sato, though I am confirming this.