Tanto "Katsumura Masakatsu"
Blade length 31.5cm, thickness at the base 6mm, width 3.0cm
This is a big tanto made by Katsumura Masakatsu. He is a smith in Mito-Tokugawa clan, Hitachi province, 19th century. It is Mito city in Ibaraki prefecture now. Mito-Tokugawa clan is one of the three big families what supported Tokugawa shogun. Around the end of Edo period, the smiths of Katsumura family made swords for samurai warriors of the clan. The swords were robust and heavy to prepare for the fight guarding shogun and his government. This tanto blade also rather big size.
Steel has compact straight layer pattern. Straight steel layer is typical style of Katsumura blades.
Hamon is made of large particles. Its pattern is gunome, and it includes kinsuji and some sweeping pattern.
Polishing is the modern style (hadori style), but the hadori work is not very strong. You can see the hamon by proper lighting.
Tang
Signature "Katsumura Masakatsu"
Habaki is made of silver.
Shirasaya and bag
220,000.yen