Tan-117 Hojoji Masateru Tanto

Rare tanto by one of the most famous Edo Hojoji..

The Hojoji was most famous for their cutting ability, and many blades have testcut signatures added after being tested. Hojoji Masahiro was the headsmith of this group and due to the quality of their blades, all of the smiths were very well regarded. Even during his time, Masateru was a very well known smith among his contemporaries. As an example, one of the most famous Kaneshige blades known as “Raiden” was made with Kaneshige, Kanetsune and Masateru and is a famous Juyo Token.

This blade must have been special ordered as tanto were hardly ever made by the Hojoji. Many people who saw the blade in Japan said that this was the first time they had seen a tanto by Masateru. During the Edo period, wakizashi were very common, but only higher up ranking samurai would be allowed to wear a tanto. The blade is very nice, healthy and without any flaws.The temperline is a nice suguha niedeki hamon, with the hada a very strong itame with mokume. Blade comes in shirasaya and has a NBTHK Hozon Paper as well. One important point is that when he moved to Kyoto for a while, his skill was so well recognized by Kinmichi that he was allowed to use the imperial crest on his tang( as in this example). So far still to this day , we have heard that this piece may be the only tanto example known of this maker, making this quite a rare treat.

1680’s

(Kiku mon) Hojoji Echizen no Kami Tachibana Masateru (NBTHK Hozon)

Cutting Edge 29.1 cm

Habakimoto 1.0625 cm

Kasane 9.3 cm

$5800