This is a koto era Tanto made back in the 1500’s by Kaneie a smith from the Seki school lineage. The hamon is notare mixed with gunome and has very good quality hatarai/activity. The hamon is very healthy for such an older tanto. The hada is also well forged and is good active and has very nice masame in places. Seki school blades like this were know to be very reliable and sharp. This tanto also comes in mounts. The saya is very interesting in its style of tree bark. The handle is in a string wrap and the fittings are old also. This fine tanto comes with papers attesting to quality and maker.

KANTEISHO

DEN SEKI KANEIE

SÔSHIN

Length: 1 shaku, 1 bu, 5 rin
September 19, 2004
NTHK
No. 15, 105
Mei inscription: Mumei
Kitae: Mixture of itame and masame
Hamon: Mixture of notare and gonome
Bôshi: Jizô
Nakago: One mekugi ana, worn sujikai
Remarks: Around Tenshô (1573-1592), Mino no Kuni.

There is only one Seki Kanie listed as being around Tensho.