Katō Unju Nobukazu Tanto
加藤運寿信一 短刀
Item TK021
Period: Shinshinto
Mei (Signature): Katō Unju Nobukazu 加藤運寿信一
Ansei 6, 6th month 1859 安政六年六月日Designation: Hozon
Nakago - Ubu - One Mekugi-Ana
Nagasa - 19.4cm
Sori: - 0.1cm
Motohaba - 2.0cm
Motokasane - 0.6cm
Nakago - 8.6cm
Price: ¥ 350,000
Unju Nobukazu
Unju Nobukazu was a student of the 7th-generation Sekido Korekazu, a well-known smith of the Sōshū-den tradition. He worked exclusively for the Ayabe clan of Kyoto Prefecture, which was ruled by the Kuki (九鬼) family — a distinguished naval family that had served Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku period. The Kuki were often portrayed in Edo-period records as powerful maritime lords or “pirate daimyō.”
This particular tantō was forged by Nobukazu in Ansei 6 (1859).
Only a few of Nobukazu’s works are known to survive today, making his blades relatively rare.
Comes with a beautiful Tanto Koshirae with iron Kozuka with gold inlaid and detailed crab menuki. Silver Foil Habaki.