Unsigned Mino School tanto in mounts known as “Ebi koshirae” This is a classic example of a Mino School gunome midare that was used frequently by the Mino –Seki School from late Muromachi period until the end of the Shinshinto period. Until this blade has been finalized in its polished state, it is hard to determine the exact time period of this blade. Right now the guess would be from the 1500’s, due to the type and style of the hamon and the jigane that is visible. The hamon of gunome with some togariba has a very nice shape. Kinsuji are seen within the temperline and yo in other places. The blade is healthy and would look great with a finished polish. The mount is an interesting version of the “Ebi” mount, the fuchi kashira are shakudo nanako done in the Goto School style with a design of lobsters. The Menuki are sea horses which is a rather rare subject for menuki. The tsuba is a version of the Kinai motif of an abalone and clam carved out of the plate. Signed “Nobuhiro saku. The scabbard is a reddish lacquer in very good condition. Shaped in a way to resemble the tail end of a lobster, this gives the effect of the Ebi mount. |
