説明

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Kanetoki with Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate 【Description】 This blade was signed Noshū Seki-jū Kanetoki (濃州関住兼辰) during the late Muromachi period (late 15th-early 16th century). The maker’s name, Kanetoki lasted several generations and we believe it was made by a late-gen Kanetoki. According to the inscription, this Kanetoki was a swordsmith from Seki in Mino Province, present-day Gifu Prefecture. Swordsmiths using the name Kanetoki are known from the early Muromachi period through the Shintō period in the Edo era, making the name one of the representative smith names associated with Mino Province. The first-gen Kanetoki is also said to have had a connection with the renowned smith Kanetsune and to have worked as a retained swordsmith for the Uesugi family (上杉家), producing blades at Kasugayama Castle. Mino Province, particularly the town of Seki (関), emerged as a major center of sword production during this period. Benefiting from abundant natural resources, skilled craftsmen, and its strategic location along important transportation routes, Seki developed a reputation for producing durable and practical blades favored by warriors. The traditions established by Mino swordsmiths during the Muromachi period later became one of the most influential schools in Japanese sword history. The MINO swordsmiths style, also known as MINO-DEN, basically has the TOGARI(Pointed shapes protruding from the Hamon )in a classic straight line and random temper line with some white Utsuri. MINO-DEN had its origin from YAMATO-DEN in the late KAMAKURA period(1280-1330). It flourished in the MUROMACHI period(1333-1573) and continued until the EDO period(1603-1868). MINO DEN MINO-DEN exceedingly prospered during Sengoku Jidai (Warring State period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, and Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province. Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers. Furthermore, so many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area. Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had the reputation of their practical design and sharpness. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. This highly skilled sword-forging technique has been passed down for generations. The smith’s name “Kanetsune” was one of the most famous ones even after the warring state ended. * Please keep in mind that there are a few noticeable Kitae Kizu on this blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 69.3cm (27.2 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.5cm ( 0.59 inches) Hamon : The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process Jimon(Jihada) : visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process Kissaki : Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword. Nakago : Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword. Japanese swordsmiths left the black rust on the tang because it prevents red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, and it is a great indicator for a Japanese sword specialist to estimate when the sword was forged. Koshirae : Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya (Scabbard), Tsuka (Handle), Tsuba (Handguard). Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. The theme for the one side of the Fuchi appears to be turnip (蕪, Kabu). Kabu is one of the seven herbs of spring in Japan. People eat these herbs on January 7th, hoping for good health, and it is believed that it would protect people from evil spirits. And it is al