Yoshihisa Tantō - Blade length: 24.2 cm - Curvature: 0 cm - Mekugi hole: 1 - Motohaba (Width near tang): 24 mm - Motokasane (Thickness near tang): 7.3 mm - Sakihaba (Width near tip): 23.7 mm - Sakikasane (Thickness near tip): 5.4 mm - Weight: 960 g (blade only)/ 1,210 g (with koshirae) - Signature: Bicchū no kuni jū Yoshihisa saku - Signature translation: Made by Yoshihisa, who lives in Bicchū Province - Era: Modern - Construction: Hira-zukuri, Iori-mune - Kitaehada (Grain pattern): Itame with mokume - Hamon (Temper line): Saka chōji - Bōshi (Hamon in the tip): Komaru - Tang: Unshortened Now retired, the maker of this blade Fujimoto Kazuhisa (craft name: Yoshihisa), of Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, devoted himself to recreating the techniques and workmanship of the Ichimonji and Aoe schools of sword-making. Though focused on the great masters of his home prefecture of Okayama, he also took influence from many other revered historical artists, even looking as far afield as Kyūshū. Not only a highly accomplished smith who was as comfortable making small amulet blades as 7 ft ōdachi, he was also a highly capable engraver, regular adding Buddhist imagery to his blades. With a jigane (dark steel above the hamon) of clear itame (woodgrain) mixed with mokume (wood burl), this tantō's hamon, though containing areas of togari (pointed) gunome (small waves), is mostly saka chōji (slanted clove blossom) along its entire length, with nie (coarse steel grain) forming various formations within the hamon following the grain of the steel. The elegant shape reminds one of tantō of the Kamakura Period. The blade has been engraved with two goma bashi (thin lines) grooves on each side This blade comes with a hōnoki wood shirasaya storage scabbard and gold-coated 'shōnai habaki' decorated with 'botan (peony) yūjō' file marks. In fantastic condition, this tantō, saya, and habaki are free from flaws, rust, and other defects. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This item will be shipped to you directly from Japan after the transaction is finalized. We will apply for an export permit from Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs and ship it once approval is granted. Please understand that this process takes approximately one month. Swords will be shipped by air freight (UPS or EMS) in most cases but, should air shipment to the winning bidder's country not be possible, it will be sent by sea. In Belgium, private sales of Japanese swords are prohibited by law, so bids from Belgium are not permitted.