A TANTO IN SUPERB KOSHIRAE, THE FITTINGS BY TAKASE EIJU By Ishinshi Toshimitsu and Takase Eiju (active c. 1775-1800), the blade signed Ishinishi Minamoto Toshimitsu saku, the fuchi signed Takase Eiju Japan, c. 1800, Edo period (1615-1868) The blade: The slender blade with hira-zukuri and maru-mune. The hamon is toran in nioi-deki. The hada is mukome. The blade is signed Ishinishi Minamoto Toshimitsu saku [made by Ishinshi Minamoto Toshimitsu]. The mounting: The tanto mounted in a fine lacquer scabbard of a deep-red tone with fine speckles. The fuchi depicting scattered blossoms including peonies and kiku in silver and gold, one side with a rectangular plaque inscribed Konen rokujuni TAKASE EIJU [Takase Eiju aged 62]. The kashira of stippled silver, and the tsuka of a deep-red tone with a cloth-like texture, fitted with a circular menuki with eight kiku blossoms encircling a pawlonia. LENGTH 30.2 cm (total) and 19.4 cm (the blade) WEIGHT 142 g Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, the blade with areas of kuchikomi (rusty dimples) and ware. The lacquer with few minor nicks to the edge of the tsuka. The nakago not inspected. Takase Eiju is listed the Haynes Index of Japanese Sword Fittings and Associated Artists on p. 115 (H 00436.0). The artist lived in Mito, Hitachi province, was a member of the Takase school and studied under the first Taizan Motozane.