A Shodai Nobukuni Tantô (信国)

Shodai (first generation) Nobukuni stands apart as one of the supreme swordsmiths of the Nambokuchô period, a figure who bridged the refined *itame* traditions of the *Rai* school with the dynamic energy of Sôshû. Descended from the *Ryôkai* lineage – by some accounts son, grandson, or great-grandson of that celebrated smith – Nobukuni worked from Kyôto and is counted among the “Three Students of Sadamune,” himself the adopted son of the great Masamune. Rated *jôjô-saku* by Fujishiro, his works have been designated *Juyô Bunkazai* (Important Cultural Property), placing him just one level below *kokuhô* (National Treasure) status.

This *tanto* is a masterwork that unifies everything the Nambokuchô period stands for: a wide, commanding *hira-zukuri* shape in the classic *Enbun-Jôji* style with *iori-mune*, deep *mihaba*, *sunnobi* proportions, and thin *kasane*. The *kitae* is a fine *itame* mixed with *mokume* that tends toward a standing-out *nagare* along the *ha* – the direct stylistic fingerprint connecting Nobukuni to the *Ryôkai* lineage – and features abundant fine *ji-nie*, *chikei*, and a striking *nie-utsuri*. The *hamon* is a *ko-nie*-laden, gently undulating *notare-chô* with a wide, bright, and clear *nioiguchi* mixed with *gunome*, *ko-ashi*, many *kinsuji* and *sunagashi*, and *hotsure* in places – the unmistakable Sôshû influence channelled through his sensei Sadamune.

The *horimono* (engraving) is equally distinguished: on the *ômote*, a *katana-hi* with *soe-bi* that runs as *kaki-nagashi* into the tang; on the *ura*, a *katana-hi* with a *shôbu-hi*-like element – Nobukuni was celebrated as a master engraver, and this blade demonstrates why. The *aikuchi koshirae* dates to the late Edo period and is lacquered black with a stone-like *kuro-ishime-ji-nuri* finish. The *menuki* are exquisite pure silver mice (*nezumi*) from the *Kyô-Ôtsuki* school, circa 1780-1867 – *nezumi* is the first of the twelve zodiac animals, just as Shodai Nobukuni was the first generation of his school. The *kozuka*, attributed to the famed Gotô school in Kyôto, depicts hatching chicks symbolising new life and new beginnings. The *torokusho* (registration card), numbered just 814, dates to 1951 – the very first year swords were formally registered in Japan – suggesting this blade was once held by a prominent former Daimyo family.