A SHINTO O-TANTO
By Bishu Sukesada
The blade of hira-zukuri form with narrow sugu-ha of nie, itame-hada, Fudo horimono to one side, short bohi with bonji in relief to the other; the suriage nakago with one mekugi-ana, signed and dated Bishu (no) kuni ju Osafune Sukesada, Eisho junen (1509); in shirasaya; koshirae: the diagonally ribbed saya of nashiji lacquer, simulating slanting rain, in which runs a dragon in gold hiramakie; the fittings of iron; the small tsuba with raised rim and a crab in relief, unsigned; the iron fuchi-kashira engraved with a dragon and waves, signed Tsuchiya Masachika kin to, with kao, Omi no kami Tsuguhide; pierced iron kozuka in the form of a kongo-sho with crescent moon finial, signed Shigemitsu. 27.3cm (10¾in) long. (4).
Footnotes
With NBTHK Hozon Token for the blade and Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu paper for the mounts.