Iwami Masahiro Tanto
S0119
SOLD
A Muromachi period yoroi doshi by Iwami Masahiro. Hawatare: 7 sun 9 bu (24.94 cm or 9.42"). Kasane: 8.4 mm. (.33 "). Ubu nakago, signed niji mei, Masahiro. Hirazukure, takenoko zori (also called uchizori), iroi mune. Ko nie deki, gunome ko-midare, ashi iri, in a chu suguba. Fine ha nie and small kinsuji. The jigane is itame slightly nagare with fine ko nie throughout, chikei, nado. The boshi is ko maru with fine hakikaki, and a medium long kaeri. The horimono are deeply carved bespeaking of its Soshu roots. There is a kiri komi, attesting to the fact that this was a serious weapon, not just for show.
The first generation Iwami Masahiro was a student of Echizen Sadatsuna, a student of Naotsuna of the Masamune Jutetsu. This is the work of the more highly rated second generation. The NTHK kanteisho dates this as Meio gurai (around 1492 - 1501), toward the latter part of his career. Toko Taikan values him at 2,500,000 yen. This smith's work is not frequently seen. This blade is published in a book of the collection of Kishimoto Kansuke, who was at one time the Kaicho of the Kyoto Branch of the NBTHK.
Aiguchi koshirae. Chinese red saya, unwrapped tsuka, with Mito flocking shishi menuki. NTHK kanteisho on the menuki.
$6,250