| Product No. TAN-0381 甲斐国重光作（棟に）新府韮崎城築城祝昭和六十三年七月 | |
|---|---|
| Mei |
Kai no Kuni Shigemitsu saku / On the mune: In commemoration of the construction of Shinpu Nirasaki Castle, July 1988 Back: November 5, 1985 (Year of the Ox) |
| Shape | Hira-zukuri, Mitsu-mune |
| Region | Yamanashi Prefecture |
| Era | Showa Period |
| Length |
25 cm 9.8 in |
| Motohaba |
2.3 cm 0.9 in |
| Munekasane |
0.6 cm 0.2 in |
| Registration Authority | Yamanashi Prefecture |
| Registration Date | July 08, 1988 |
| Jihada (Metal pattern) | Masame with flowing grain, mixed with itame |
| Hamon (Temper line) | Notare mixed with gunome, with nie along the habuchi, and frequent sunagashi and kinsuji |
| Bōshi (Point / Tip) | With hakikake, turning back in ko-maru |
| Nakago (Tang) | Ubu, katte-sagari yasurime, kurijiri |
| Mekugiana (Rivet holes) | 1 |
| Habaki | Copper habaki |
Price |
250,000 JPY |
| This tantō was made by swordsmith Itō Shigemitsu (currently 73 years old), born in 1953 in Kōfu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, who signs his works “Kai no Kuni Shigemitsu.” He studied under Living National Treasure Miyairi Akihira (Yukihira) as well as Enomoto Sadakichi, and became independent in 1980. He is regarded as one of Yamanashi’s representative modern swordsmiths and has received numerous awards at the annual New Sword Exhibition.This blade is signed “Kai no Kuni Shigemitsu saku” and dated “November 5, 1985 (Year of the Ox).” The mune bears an additional inscription, carved later at the time of re-registration: “In commemoration of the construction of Shinpu Nirasaki Castle, July 1988.”Shinpu Castle was built in 1581 by Takeda Katsuyori on the Shichiriiwa plateau in Nirasaki, Kai Province, and became the final stronghold of the Takeda clan. Shortly after its construction, however, Katsuyori was forced to retreat before the advancing Oda forces and set fire to the castle himself. The fall of Shinpu Castle marked the final chapter in the downfall of the Takeda clan.Today, Shinpu Castle remains an important historic site, preserving valuable examples of Takeda military architecture, including maru-umadashi defensive works, crescent-shaped moats, and outer defensive structures. It has been designated as a National Historic Site.This tantō is a highly commemorative work, forged by Shigemitsu—who proudly bears the title “Kai no Kuni”—to honor the historical legacy of Shinpu Castle, one of Yamanashi’s most significant Takeda heritage sites.A remarkable tantō that beautifully connects local history with the craftsmanship of a modern Japanese swordsmith. |
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