Spectacular Shinshinto Yoroi-Doshi Tanto
by Enryushi Kunihide, 1846

A rare and Shinshinto Yoroi-Doshi tanto crafted in 1846 by master smith Enryushi Kunihide, featuring a wild hamon, bold hada, and mounted in fine iron koshirae

The Blade

Mei: Kunihide saku
Date: Koka 3 (1846)

• Nagasa: 24.3 cm

• Motohaba: 2.45 cm

• Moto Kasane: 9.1 mm

This blade exhibits a wide hamon of wild gunome-choji midare, densely packed with nioi and sungagashi, blending seamlessly into the bold o-itame and masame hada. The boshi is sharply pointed, extending with full-length muneyaki, while the nioiguchi remains diffuse.

The nakago is ubu with one mekugi ana, signed Kunihide and dated 1846.

The Koshirae

• Fuchi kashira: Iron with nunome dragonfly motif

• Tsuba: Iron with nunome diaper rim

• Menuki: Shakudo and gilt floral design

• Tsuka: Patterned dark ito over full same wrap

• Habaki: Solid silver

• Saya: Heavy glossy black lacquer with shibuichi kojiri

• Seppa: Gold foil

The mounting is elegant yet formidable, combining refined metalwork with robust craftsmanship.

The Smith – Enryushi Kunihide

Enryushi Kunihide, active in Kozuke, Annaka (modern-day Gunma), studied under Nakayama Ikkansai Yoshihiro, a disciple of the Norishige tradition. This influence is evident in Kunihide’s dynamic and flamboyant style, perfectly showcased in this tanto.