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Description

This is an unsigned tanto with an original tang (ubu-nakago) attributed to Aizu Motooki. Motooki was born in Aizu in Bunsei 1 (1818), studied under Ishido Unju Korekazu in Edo, and later changed his name to Hidekuni. He is highly regarded as one of the finest smiths of the late Edo period in Aizu, known for his excellent straight and gunome-midare hamon.

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MarketEncyclopediaKantei
Swords›Motooki›Tanto: Ubu-nakago Mumei, Aizu Motooki
tanto
Motooki

Tanto: Ubu-nakago Mumei, Aizu Motooki

ubu · Bunsei (1818-1830)

SOLD
Motooki (元興) · Bunsei (1818-1830)2 works for sale →
Tanto
Could you name the smith from the blade alone? Today’s kantei →
Motooki — 1 of 2
Motooki — 2 of 2
1 / 2
1 / 2
Motooki — 1 of 2Motooki — 2 of 2
Motooki (元興) · Bunsei (1818-1830)2 works for sale →
Tanto
Could you name the smith from the blade alone? Today’s kantei →
Measurements & details
Smith
Motooki
Type
Tanto
Period
Around 1818–1830(Bunsei)
Province
Mutsu
Signature
ubu
Description

This is an unsigned tanto with an original tang (ubu-nakago) attributed to Aizu Motooki. Motooki was born in Aizu in Bunsei 1 (1818), studied under Ishido Unju Korekazu in Edo, and later changed his name to Hidekuni. He is highly regarded as one of the finest smiths of the late Edo period in Aizu, known for his excellent straight and gunome-midare hamon.

About the maker

Motooki

元興

Iwashiro · around 1818-1830

Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 39%

2 pieces on the market now

›
2 works by Motooki on the market→
Motooki — full profile

Study this maker →

Historical context

The Edo period (1615 to 1868)

›

Edo was the sword’s age of connoisseurship: the Hon’ami appraisers, the shogunal register of famous blades of 1719, and a thriving literature turned the sword into an object of study even as it ceased to be drawn in war.

The Edo period (1615 to 1868) →

Warning — certificate not found

We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.

Seller
C
Choshuya
🇯🇵Ships from Japan
›
✓Verified dealerwww.choshuya.co.jp
✓Ships worldwide✓English support
Return policy

If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.

View all of Choshuya’s listings→View this item on the dealer’s site→

More works by Motooki

View all →
Aoi Art
Hozon
Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Soshu Tsunahiro (No Guarantee)Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Soshu Tsunahiro (No Guarantee)

Tantō

ByMotooki
Starting Bid¥480,000
Toushin
Hozon
Katana - Hozon - by Motooki - Mumei (Attributed to Aizu Motooki)Katana - Hozon - by Motooki - Mumei (Attributed to Aizu Motooki)

Katana

ByMotooki
¥880,000

Previously sold by Motooki

View all →
Choshuya
Katana - by Motooki - MotookiKatana - by Motooki - Motooki
Sold

Katana

ByMotooki
SOLD
Choshuya
Tanto - by Motooki - Ubu-nakago Mumei, Aizu Motooki with Vermilion Inro-kizami Saya KoshiraeTanto - by Motooki - Ubu-nakago Mumei, Aizu Motooki with Vermilion Inro-kizami Saya Koshirae
Sold

Tantō

ByMotooki
SOLD
World Seiyudo
Hozon
Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Mumei (Attributed to Aizu Motooki)Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Mumei (Attributed to Aizu Motooki)
Sold

Tantō

ByMotooki
SOLD
World Seiyudo
Hozon
Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Aizu Motooki - NBTHK Hozon TokenTanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Aizu Motooki - NBTHK Hozon Token
Sold

Tantō

ByMotooki
SOLD
World Seiyudo
Hozon
Katana - Hozon - by Motooki - Aizu Motooki - NBTHK Hozon TokenKatana - Hozon - by Motooki - Aizu Motooki - NBTHK Hozon Token
Sold

Katana

ByMotooki
SOLD

Swords

  • Katana
  • Wakizashi
  • Tantō
  • Tachi
  • Naginata
  • Yari
  • Japanese Swords
  • Samurai Swords

Fittings

  • Tsuba
  • Fuchi-Kashira
  • Kozuka
  • Menuki
  • Sword Guards (Tsuba)

Armor

  • Kabuto
  • Samurai Armor
  • All Samurai Armor

By Certification

  • Tokujū
  • Jūyō
  • Tokuho
  • Hozon

Resources

  • Dealer Directory
  • Artist Directory
  • The Daily Kantei
  • Glossary
  • Browse All
Nihontowatch© 2026
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Sold

Description

This is an unsigned tanto with an original tang (ubu-nakago) attributed to Aizu Motooki. Motooki was born in Aizu in Bunsei 1 (1818), studied under Ishido Unju Korekazu in Edo, and later changed his name to Hidekuni. He is highly regarded as one of the finest smiths of the late Edo period in Aizu, known for his excellent straight and gunome-midare hamon.

NihontoWatch MonNihontoWatch
MarketEncyclopediaKantei
Swords›Motooki›Tanto: Ubu-nakago Mumei, Aizu Motooki
tanto
Motooki

Tanto: Ubu-nakago Mumei, Aizu Motooki

ubu · Bunsei (1818-1830)

SOLD
Motooki (元興) · Bunsei (1818-1830)2 works for sale →
Tanto
Could you name the smith from the blade alone? Today’s kantei →
Motooki — 1 of 2
Motooki — 2 of 2
1 / 2
1 / 2
Motooki — 1 of 2Motooki — 2 of 2
Motooki (元興) · Bunsei (1818-1830)2 works for sale →
Tanto
Could you name the smith from the blade alone? Today’s kantei →
Measurements & details
Smith
Motooki
Type
Tanto
Period
Around 1818–1830(Bunsei)
Province
Mutsu
Signature
ubu
Description

This is an unsigned tanto with an original tang (ubu-nakago) attributed to Aizu Motooki. Motooki was born in Aizu in Bunsei 1 (1818), studied under Ishido Unju Korekazu in Edo, and later changed his name to Hidekuni. He is highly regarded as one of the finest smiths of the late Edo period in Aizu, known for his excellent straight and gunome-midare hamon.

About the maker

Motooki

元興

Iwashiro · around 1818-1830

Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 39%

2 pieces on the market now

›
2 works by Motooki on the market→
Motooki — full profile

Study this maker →

Historical context

The Edo period (1615 to 1868)

›

Edo was the sword’s age of connoisseurship: the Hon’ami appraisers, the shogunal register of famous blades of 1719, and a thriving literature turned the sword into an object of study even as it ceased to be drawn in war.

The Edo period (1615 to 1868) →

Warning — certificate not found

We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.

Seller
C
Choshuya
🇯🇵Ships from Japan
›
✓Verified dealerwww.choshuya.co.jp
✓Ships worldwide✓English support
Return policy

If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.

View all of Choshuya’s listings→View this item on the dealer’s site→

More works by Motooki

View all →
Aoi Art
Hozon
Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Soshu Tsunahiro (No Guarantee)Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Soshu Tsunahiro (No Guarantee)

Tantō

ByMotooki
Starting Bid¥480,000
Toushin
Hozon
Katana - Hozon - by Motooki - Mumei (Attributed to Aizu Motooki)Katana - Hozon - by Motooki - Mumei (Attributed to Aizu Motooki)

Katana

ByMotooki
¥880,000

Previously sold by Motooki

View all →
Choshuya
Katana - by Motooki - MotookiKatana - by Motooki - Motooki
Sold

Katana

ByMotooki
SOLD
Choshuya
Tanto - by Motooki - Ubu-nakago Mumei, Aizu Motooki with Vermilion Inro-kizami Saya KoshiraeTanto - by Motooki - Ubu-nakago Mumei, Aizu Motooki with Vermilion Inro-kizami Saya Koshirae
Sold

Tantō

ByMotooki
SOLD
World Seiyudo
Hozon
Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Mumei (Attributed to Aizu Motooki)Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Mumei (Attributed to Aizu Motooki)
Sold

Tantō

ByMotooki
SOLD
World Seiyudo
Hozon
Tanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Aizu Motooki - NBTHK Hozon TokenTanto - Hozon - by Motooki - Aizu Motooki - NBTHK Hozon Token
Sold

Tantō

ByMotooki
SOLD
World Seiyudo
Hozon
Katana - Hozon - by Motooki - Aizu Motooki - NBTHK Hozon TokenKatana - Hozon - by Motooki - Aizu Motooki - NBTHK Hozon Token
Sold

Katana

ByMotooki
SOLD

Swords

  • Katana
  • Wakizashi
  • Tantō
  • Tachi
  • Naginata
  • Yari
  • Japanese Swords
  • Samurai Swords

Fittings

  • Tsuba
  • Fuchi-Kashira
  • Kozuka
  • Menuki
  • Sword Guards (Tsuba)

Armor

  • Kabuto
  • Samurai Armor
  • All Samurai Armor

By Certification

  • Tokujū
  • Jūyō
  • Tokuho
  • Hozon

Resources

  • Dealer Directory
  • Artist Directory
  • The Daily Kantei
  • Glossary
  • Browse All
Nihontowatch© 2026
TermsPrivacyCookiesAbout
Sold
NihontoWatch MonNihontoWatch
Market
Encyclopedia
Kantei
NihontoWatch MonNihontoWatch
Market
Encyclopedia
Kantei