08/23/2026
FOR SELL, A Kiyomaro School tanto by Masao
From : Owazamono.com
If interested contact me directly/privately.
Signed Minamoto Masao
Edo period, 19th century
Ex Paul Davidson L. collection.
Sugata [configuration]: hira-zukuri, iori mune, slightly thick kasane, no curvature
Kitae [forging pattern]: dense itame with much jinie attached, chikei
Hamon [tempering pattern]: gunome midare, ashi, subdued noiguchi which is slightly wide
Boshi [tip]: maru boshi with turn back on the omote and jizo boshi on the ura
Habaki [collar]: single clad, gold on copper, chased and engraved
Nakago [tang]: ubu, katte sagari yasurime, one mekugi ana
In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard] with sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro
Koshirae [mount]: the saya decorated on a black and red lacquer ishime ground, the fittings in nanako, the shakudo tanto tsuba, shakudo kozuke engraved with triple stylised wild geese (kari mon), the gilt menuki in the form of coiled dragons
Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 26.6 cm., 10½ in.
Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 2.7 cm., 1 in.
Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Hozon Token [Sword-Especially-Worthy of Preservation], no. 140724 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Heisei 7 (1995).
MInamoto Masao (active circa 1850-1866) was the student of Minamoto Kiyomaro (1813-1854), who was widely considered as the greatest of all shinshinto smiths, becoming known as the 'Yotsuya Masamune' during his production period in Edo. Kiyomaro worked in several early styles, but was particularly skilful in the Soshu tradition established by the fourteenth century smith of fame Goro Nyudo Masamune (circa 1264-1343). Masao continued his masters work in the Soshu tradition.
