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tanto of the shape "satsuma-age"


blade length 21.6cm   thickness at the base 8mm   width at the base 27mm
 
This tanto has a strange shape.
Because it is re-shaped from broken blade only by filing work.
It was shortened from both tang and kissaki.
Such a blade is called "Satsuma-age".
Such work is done to keep the originality of blades that have been broken near the kissaki.
The signature, steel and hamon is left as original.
If the blade is re-tempered, the originality would disappear.
 
The signature is left on the tang "Bishu Osafune ..."
But it may be old fake.

The other side is freshly filed to re-shape it.
 
The steel layer is flowing wood grain pattern.
The hamon is irregular "gunome" with sweeping pattern.
  
Provably this blade is come from 16th century.
The blade surface is full of scratches, and ground with rough stone at the tip.
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