Q421. Tanto signed on the ura, Echizen Ju and on the omote Harima Daijo Fujiwara Shigetaka.

Nagasa: 12″ 30.2 cm.

Sori: .8 cm.

Moto haba: 3.1 cm.

Moto kasane: .7 cm.

Saki haba: 2.6 cm.

Saki kasane: .6 cm.

Nakago nagasa: 5″ 12.8 cm.

Kissaki nagasa: 3 3/8″ 8.7 cm.

Overall in shirasaya: 19 3/4″ 50.4 cm.

Osoraku zukuri, iore mune, ubu, one hole. The hada is a tight ko-itame with masame. The hamon is a shallow notare with sunagashi and kinsuji (approaching nijuba in spots), all covered in a bright ara-nie. The boshi is a continuation of the hamon, ending in o-maru with a short kaeri. Horimono on the omote is a dragon around a ritual ken, carved inside an oval cartouche. On the ura are gomabashi-hi. The polish was done by Bob benson in Hawaii and is quite fine. There is a scratch in the polish at the top of the habaki on the ura and Mr. Benson has chosen to leave some pitting, most notably just above the horimono on the omote, rather than compromise the carving (this can be seen in my pictures, which show every inch of the blade). This tanto is mounted with a copper habaki and well made shirasaya in excellent condition. It comes with a Hozon paper from the NBTHK in Tokyo, dated 2009 and attesting to the signature and quality.

There were 2 generations of Harimo Daijo Shigetaka (both rated Chu Jo Saku in Fujishiro). While the paper doesn’t specify the generation, the mei matches best that of the 1st generation, who was active in the 1st quarter of the 1600’s and is known for his horimono. A very nice tanto with lots to appreciate; I think you’ll be pleased. 1 pound, 8 ounces. $3,295.