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Hamon : Nie deki suguha. The nioi guchi is tight and vivid.
Boshi : Ko-maru with short kaeri.
Kitae : Tight ko mokume hada.
About this sword : Gassan Sadakatsu is counted among the most important Gendaito smiths. He is ranked at 3 million yen in the Tokotaikan and was one of the few gendai smiths listed in Fujishiro's Shinto Hen. He was born in Meiji two (1869) and was the son of the famous smith, Gassan Sadakazu. They worked in in Osaka, and Sadakatsu made daisaku for his father in his old age. Sadakatsu was very successful and had many high-profile clients. In 1934, he was awarded by the urban prefecture Osaka for his skill as a craftsman. He passed away on December 24th 1943 at the age of 74.
The ura mei of this tanto reads: 皇 孫 殿 下 御 守 刀 以 餘 光 鉄 Kosondenka Omamorikatana Ko Tetsu- The meaning of this dedication is that this tanto was made from the steel that remained from the katana that Sadakatsu made for the emperor’s grandson, and to be used for personal protection.
This is a very special tanto indeed. Gassan Sadakatsu was commissioned to make a sword for the Emperor's son in Taisho 14 (1925). This tanto was made from the remaining steel from that special commission. This tanto has been preserved with its original presentation kiri-bako with hako-gaki by Gassan Sadakatsu as well an origami by Gassan Sadakatsu that explains the provenance of the blade, written in Showa 2 (1927).
Translation as follows:
Box top cover: tanto, one item
Inside Box cover: The Department of the Interior ordered tachi for the Emperor's grandson. The remaining steel from that sword was used to make this tanto. The omote has horimono of the "Morning Sun" and the ura has Sakura horimono. The nagasa is 6 sun. Kinsaku (carefully made) and hakogaki. Taisho, 14 year 11 month, a Lucky day. Gassan Sadakatsu
Origami: This is the certificate Gassan Sadakatsu wrote for this tanto in Showa 2. It repeats the information contained in the hako-gaki.
About the "Morning Sun" theme and this Sakura horimono: This is by Sadakatsu's hand and one of his favorite horimono themes. It is based on a poem by Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801). The Hori here is the second line of the poem (the heart of the poem).
The poem is : "Shikishima no Yamato-gokoro o hito towaba, asahi ni niou yamazakura-bana" - "if one asks about the soul of Japan, I would say that it is like wild cherry blossoms glowing in the morning sun".
This poem is more than the words that it conveys. Motoori believed in Japan's own creation legend. He spent all his life to get rid of Chinese and Korean cultural influences in Japan. He believed that Japan is the middle kingdom, not China. He supported the Shinto strongly, in which followers believe that the emperors are Gods. Therefore, Shinto Gods are emperors and paved the road for the Imperial rule. This poem was a "banner" of WWII determination of the Japanese people to win the war. It was a proud occasion to quote this poem and even military schools used it as their school song. In addition, both "Morning Sun" and "Wild Cherry Blossom" were used as names for the kamikaze pilot attack groups in WWII. When we study this blade and understand the sentiment that it conveys, it is quite awe inspiring. As well as being an amazing example of Sadakatsu's great skill, It represents the spirt and dedication of Japan at this crucial time in history.
This masterful example of Sadakatsu's work was awarded a Tokubetsu Hozon paper in 2019. It is accompanied by the the kiri-bako with Sadakatsu's hako-gaki, old slik storage bag, Gassan style original habaki, origami by Sadakatsu, shira saya and the NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper. Considering the special nature of this tanto, the ever-climbing reverence for the Gassan school among collectors and the fame of Sadakatsu, this work will be a Juyo submission of the future.
