Kanemichi (兼道) was a swordsmith of Seki in Province who, during the Eiroku era (1558--1570), moved to Kyoto together with his four sons -- Iga no Kami Kinmichi, Izumi no Kami Kinmichi, Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi, and no Kami Masatoshi. This migration established the lineage, and the sons collectively became known as the founders of the -mono (Three Distinguished Products) of Kyoto. Dated works by the elder Kanemichi survive from the Tenbun, Eiroku, and Tensho eras. Among his sons, Iga no Kami Kinmichi is regarded as the one who "most earnestly transmitted the style of their native province," and successive generations continued under the name through the end of the Tokugawa period.
The in Kanemichi's work shows with areas of tending toward , with and . His ranges from mixed with -, -like elements, and , to intermingled with and in the manner of work. adheres well, with , , and occasional . The typically shows shallow with and a somewhat long return, sometimes developing the - associated with his school. In his son Kinmichi's rare , the becomes vigorously disturbed with , demonstrating the full expressive range of the lineage.
The observes that Kanemichi's finest works are distinguished by that is "notably well refined" compared with ordinary production, and that the is "bright and clear." His dated Tenbun 16 is noted for possessing a "dignified, imposing overall presence," and his is praised as "of the highest class for this maker." The gold-inlaid cutting-test inscriptions naming testers of the Yamano family are recognized as holding "great documentary value." Through his sons' establishment in Kyoto, Kanemichi stands as the progenitor of one of the most consequential smithing dynasties of the period.
