* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Tenkomaru
天光丸
Also known as: Tsuboi Hachimangu Tachi signed Yasutsuna
Description
Overview
Tenkomaru is a Heian-period tachi attributed to Yasutsuna of Hoki Province and is held by Tsuboi Hachimangu Shrine in Habikino, Osaka. It was certified an Important Art Object on 14 October 1935.
The Blade
The blade is 76.8 cm long with a curvature of 2.5 cm, in shinogi-zukuri with an iori-mune. It has a high koshi-zori and tapers to a small point. The hamon is mainly small midare, and the tang bears the two-character signature Yasutsuna.
Name and Provenance
According to the History of Habikino City, Tada Taro lost the sword at the foot of Mount Kongo, and Matsuyama Hachiroemon Tomozumi later found it by digging where light shone from the ground. Ishikawa Hyoe Hangandai Yoshikiyo is said to have named it Tenkomaru ("heavenly light") for its brilliance. It is also said to have been a Minamoto family treasure passed from Tada Mitsunaka to Minamoto no Yorinobu and Yoshiie. The Kawachi Meisho Zue describes it as a male-and-female pair with the Yasutsuna blade Onikirimaru (Dojigiri).
Legends & Stories
A Yasutsuna tachi linked to the Minamoto, said to be named for the light it gave off when found in the earth.