This Aikuchi tanto features a blade length (nagasa) of 22.8 cm (overall length 39.8 cm) with a naginata-naoshi, unokubi tsukuri shape and a shinno mune back. The temper pattern (hamon) is ko-notare. The grooves (hi or horimono) are bo-hi ni tsure-ki, and the hada pattern (jihada) is muji. The blade dates to the Koto period and is in very good condition.

The tang (nakago) has a kuri-jiri tip and kiri yasurime file marks, with one mekugi-ana (peg hole). There is no signature (mei).

The handle (tsuka) is made of samegawa (rayskin) on wood, wrapped in black silk. The menuki are silver or iron, depicting the Horin-Rimbo (Buddhist wheel of Dharma). The tsuba is iron with a cable pattern on the edge. The fuchi-kashira are silver or iron with six-petaled flowers in gold. The blade collar (habaki) is brass with grooved crosswise, and there are no washers (seppa).

The kozuka is silver with a black and gold background, depicting stylized flowers. The blade of the kozuka has an inscription and Aoi-mon. The kogai is wari-bashi, silver with decoration similar to the kozuka. The saya (scabbard) is brown with black-red grass decoration with beautiful floral decorations.

Provenance:
Albert Polster Collection (former president of the European branch of the NBTHK), 1986.