A Yoshishige Tanto (長谷部義重)

Talented swordsmith Yoshishige studied under Masayoshi, who himself trained under the great Masahide – the Shinshintô period maestro. Claiming descent from Hasebe Kunishige, one of Masamune’s ten celebrated students, Yoshishige signed his name Hasebe Yoshishige as a statement of lineage and pride. Tragically, he died in 1859 at just 35 years of age. This tanto, dated to the 2nd month of Ansei 5 (February 1858), would have been among the very last he ever made.

The blade is sublime. A spectacular gunome choji midare hamon – clove blossoms in animated motion – carries brush strokes of sandy sunagashi throughout. The jihada is a clean, tight ko-itame. Every element of this blade is healthy, active, and finely executed. The NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho certificate reflects the quality of both blade and period, and the koshirae carries its own NTHK-NPO Kanteisho certification.

The matching Edo period issaku aikuchi koshirae pays tribute to the ocean. Skillfully carved wave patterns adorn the kojiri and fuchi-kashira, and an exquisite ebi (shrimp) – a symbol of congratulations and longevity – is portrayed on the kozuka. The saya is formed of shells interwoven in lacquer, a pristine work of mosaic art. This is 19th-century Japanese craftsmanship at its finest.