Higo Kikuchi Tanto

S0361

A Higo kikuchigata tanto in Higo koshirae.  Mitsumune, bohi, sobi.  Sue koto or early shinto, ubu, nijimei, Sa.  Hawatare:  7 sun 7 bu 2 rin (23.4 cm / 9.12").  Motohaba:  2.26 cm. 23.4 cm Kasane 6.6 mm tapering to 2.3 mm. Suguba kop midare, bright habuchi.  Itame jigane.  Boshi is komaru.  Likely, o-suriage and machi okure.  The Sa signature is likely a later addition to a sue koto Enju blade. 

Single string tsukamaki, the iron with gold Higo fuchi-kashira, tsuba koiguchi, kojiri, kozuka and split kogai are ensuite.  The menuki, Shakudo nanako button menuki with gold kiri mon, which are repeated on the kozuka and kogai.  Horn kurikata, kaerizuno, and uragawara.  Ribbed Chinese red saya with repaired split below the kurikata.  NBTHK  Tokubetsu Kicho ninteisho on the koshirae.