Tantō “Ise-ebi” — Lobster Motif. Made by Sukemune

Description

Tantō signed “Made by Sukemune”
Period: Late Muromachi (15th–16th century)
Origin: Japan
Type: Tantō (短刀)
Construction: hira-zukuri
School: Attributed to the Bizen tradition (備前) or a related Muromachi school

Certificates:

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken (特別保存刀剣鑑定書) — “Especially Preserved Sword” certificate, current high-level authentication

Two old NBTHK Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken (特別貴重刀剣) — one for the blade, one for the mounting (koshirae)

The Tokubetsu Kichō series was issued from the 1950s to early 1980s and confirmed both the blade and its mounting as “especially valuable” swords before the current Hozon / Tokubetsu Hozon grading system was introduced.

Antique tantō by master Sukemune, dating from the late Muromachi period (ca. 1450–1550), in classic hira-zukuri form.
The blade features an elegant hamon (temper line), refined proportions, and a noble patina of ancient polish.

The koshirae is richly decorated with a detailed relief of a lobster (ise-ebi), executed in engraved and hammered metal (kinkō) work. In Japanese symbolism, the lobster represents longevity, respect for elders, and nobility, and such motifs often appeared on presentation swords of the samurai elite.

The meticulous rendering of the lobster’s shell and antennae highlights the exceptional skill of the metal artisan.

Included:

Tantō with original koshirae

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken certificate

Two old Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken certificates (blade & mounting)

Original Japanese certificate folders

Decorative cloth pouch

⚠️ Stand not included.

Collectible Value:
A blade from the late Muromachi period with triple NBTHK authentication represents an item of exceptional historical and artistic importance.
The rare lobster motif makes this koshirae a remarkable example of samurai-era Japanese metal artistry.

Such pieces are exceedingly rare and highly sought after by collectors and museums of Japanese art.

🇨🇳 中文（简体）

短刀（署名：助宗作）
时期： 室町晚期（约15–16世纪）
产地： 日本
类型： 短刀（短刀）
刀身形制： hira-zukuri（平造）
流派： 归属于备前派或室町时期相关流派

鉴定书：

日本美术刀剑保存协会（NBTHK）特别保存刀剑鉴定书（Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken，特別保存刀剣鑑定書）——现行高级鉴定等级

两份旧版 NBTHK 特别贵重刀剑鉴定书（Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken，特別貴重刀剣）——分别针对刀身和刀装 (koshirae)

“特别贵重刀剑”系列发行于20世纪50年代至80年代初，是现行“保存 / 特别保存”制度之前的高级鉴定等级，确认刀身与刀装均具有特别的艺术与历史价值。

本刀为室町晚期（约1450–1550年）刀匠**助宗（Sukemune）**之作，典型平造式短刀。刀身比例协调，*刃文（hamon）*清晰，古老研磨带出高雅包浆。

刀装 (koshirae) 上雕刻立体龙虾（伊势虾，ise-ebi）图案，采用雕金与锤金 (kinkō) 技法。龙虾在日本象征长寿、尊敬与高贵，常用于武士阶层赠礼刀剑。

细腻的甲壳与触须刻工展示了金工匠非凡技艺。

附带物品：

原装刀装短刀

NBTHK 特别保存刀剑鉴定书

两份旧版 特别贵重刀剑鉴定书（刀身与刀装）

日本原装证书封套

装饰收纳袋

⚠️ 底座不包括在内。

收藏价值：
此件室町晚期短刀经三份 NBTHK 鉴定，历史与艺术价值极高。
稀有的龙虾装饰使其成为武士时代金工艺术的杰出代表。

此类作品极为罕见，深受日本艺术收藏家与博物馆青睐。