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Hamon : Nioi-deki suguha with ko-notare. The nioi-guchi is soft. Sunagashi can be seen.
Boshi : Midare-komi with a pointed tip. The return is long.
Kitae : Ko-mokume.
About this sword : This is a gendai tanto by Dr. Watanabe Saburo. Watanabe Saburo is considered the father of Japanese alloy steel. He was an engineering doctor and an avid collector of Japanese swords. He had a top level collection and even owned the Sanjyo Mikagetsu Munechika at one time. He was the president of Nippon Steel company and the Chairman of the Japan Steel Association. He studied the craft of Japanese sword making as a natural extension of his life's work. Dr. Watanabe was born in 1880 and passed away in 1951. His first son is Watanabe Junichiro who became the President of the NBTHK Nagaoka Branch.
Dr. Watanabe Saburo made this tanto by himself as well as the poem (Waka) horimono. The meaning of the poem is as follows: "Young people, make your best effort for a good work as forerunners". This blade dates to the first decade of the Showa era. The kanji for the exact year can not be seen due to the placement of the ana. This sword is in old polish with a few surface scratches. The blade is healthy and there are no kizu. It should be noted that this blade was forged with "fushuko" as recored on the mei. Fushuko is stainless steel. Considering that Dr. Watanabe Saburo was an important pioneer in the area of stainless steel, it is quite intriguing to see a blade made by him with this material. This blade is not an NBTHK shinsa candidate because it is not made from tamahagane. This comes with a shira-saya, wood habaki and a storage bag. The quality of the workmanship and the sentiment of the waka give this blade a delightful charm.
SOLD
