01 / MARKINGS / MEI
堺宗春
- Observed inscription
- 堺宗春
- Transcription
- 堺 宗 春
- Possible reading
- Sakai Muneharu — probable
- Literal interpretation
- 堺: Sakai; 宗春: name / brand Muneharu
- Mark type
- Engraved mark
- Location
- Blade near the heel
SHOW008 · DOCUMENTED
堺宗春
Japanese Knife 175 mm
Yanagiba 175 mm · Japan
175 MM堺宗春91 G
A light, slender Japanese knife with a pointed blade, consistent with a small yanagiba. The engraved blade mark probably reads 堺宗春 — Sakai Muneharu. The wooden handle has a metal ferrule.
Photographs ↓STATUSDOCUMENTED
TYPEYanagiba 175 mm
ORIGINJapan
PERIODUnidentified
ATTRIBUTION CONFIDENCEProbable
ARCHIVE NUMBERSHOW008
ATTRIBUTION
Probable
The blade mark probably corresponds to 堺宗春 (Sakai Muneharu), a brand listed in the Sakai Densan catalogue. Attribution of this knife is probable; the specific manufacturer, smith and production period remain unidentified.
ConfirmedCONFIRMED
ProbablePROBABLE
TentativeTENTATIVE
UnidentifiedUNIDENTIFIED
SPECIFICATIONS
- Blade type
- Probably a small yanagiba
- Overall length
- 310 mm
- Blade length
- 175 mm
- Weight
- 91 g
- Grind
- Probably single bevel — photographs
- Handle
- Wooden with metal ferrule; originality undocumented
- Steel
- Unidentified
- Construction
- Unidentified
- Heel height
- Not measured
- Spine thickness
- Not measured
- Saya / sheath
- Not documented
02 / Condition & care
DOCUMENTED CONDITION
- The blade shows grinding marks, scratches and local discoloration.
- The wooden handle shows signs of use.
WHAT WE PRESERVE
- Surviving engraved 堺宗春 blade mark
03 / SHOW008
Photographs
Open a photograph to view the full image and browse the set.
04 / Research & provenance
RESEARCH NOTES
- 01
堺宗春 appears in the official Sakai Densan catalogue. This documents the brand, not the age or steel of this knife.
- 02
Identification is based on the blade inscription. Handle markings do not establish handle originality or blade identity.
PROVENANCE
The owner supplied dimensions of 310/175 mm and weight of 91 g. Type and grind are assessed from photographs. Earlier history, interventions and handle originality are undocumented.
CURRENT STATUS
SHOWROOM — availability on Aukro
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