This is a wonderful tanto signed with the two character signature, Unjo (sometimes pronounced Unsho). There were several generations of smiths from Bizen province who worked under this name in the middle to late 14th century. The hamon is a gently undulating suguba/ko-midare. The hada is masame mixed with mokume. There is profuse ji-nie which resembles jifu utsuri. This is a very interesting sword that merits a lot more study. The mountings are well executed in a tasteful formal manner. There are several family mons (crests) that are in the lacquer as well as the metal fittings. All in all, a very nice tanto.

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hageyama@mindspring.com
hageyama@mindspring.com