Tanto "Kanekage"
Blade length 26.3cm, thickness at the base 6mm, width 2.6cm
This is a nice tanto blade made by Kanekage in Seki city, Mino province. The age is 15th - 16th century. There are several generations in Kanekage linage, and it is difficult to distinguish each of them. This Kanekage is one of them in Koto period, though.
Steel has a wood grain layer pattern.
Hamon pattern is very active, mainly formed with gunome pattern. The hamon particles are bright.
The polishing is the modern style (hadori style). The make-up work is rather strong to make the blade look beautiful. But you can study hamon when you get a good lighting.
It is a nice blade with active pattern hamon. It shows one of the typical styles of good Seki blade in the late Muromachi period (15th - 16th century)
Sketch of hamon
Engraving is a short groove. Usually it suggests a Buddha or some kind or prayer. It is often found on koto blades. But on this blade, I'm not sure if it is original or later work.
Tang
Signature "Kanekage" by sharp chisel work. And the checker file mark is the character of Seki tanto blades.
Habaki is made of copper.
Shirasaya and its bag.
NBTHK paper is added. The rank is Hozon-Token.
