An Aikuchi tanto | Signed Michitoshi | Edo period, dated Man'en gannen hachigatsu hi (A day in August 1860)

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An Aikuchi tanto

Signed Michitoshi

Edo period, dated Man'en gannen hachigatsu hi (A day in August 1860)

Sugata [configuration]: Hira-zukuri

Kitae [forging pattern]: Possibly masame-hada

Hamon [tempering pattern]: Fairly wide ko-midare hamon

Boshi [tip]: Hakikake 

Nakago [tang]: Ubu, with two mekugi-ana, kurijiri, osujikai yasuri, signed Michitoshi,

Fujiwara Takakuni no mot.mes ni kotae kore o tsukuru (Made by Michitoshi at the request of Fujiwara Takakuni), dated Man'en gannen hachigatsu hi (A day in August 1860)

Habaki [collar]: Copper

Koshirae [mount]: The silver-mounted koshirae with black lacquer saya, encircled Fujii crests, the silver fittings in the form of leaves  

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 30.5 cm., 12 in.