日本刀 刀 無銘（伝兼信）日本美術刀剣保存協会 保存刀剣鑑定書附

附属品

NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Case (Decorative Sword Mounting), Shirasaya Case (Plain Wooden Case), Traditional Sword Carrying Bag, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

Category

Katana (KOTO :古刀)

Age

Estimated Mid-Late Muromachi period (Approx. 500 years old)

Location

Owari province (Today’s Aichi prefecture)

登録証

Saitama 69062

販売店の記載のまま

This blade is attributed to Kanenobu (兼延), active during the mid-late Muromachi period (approximately 500 years ago) in Owari province (today’s Aichi prefecture). He was categorized as a Owari Seki swordsmith and his lineage is related to Naoe Shizu school in Mino province (Today’s Gifu prefecture). During the end of the Kamakura period (early 14th century), a swordsmith named Kaneuji moved from Yamato province (today’s Nara prefecture) to Shizu village in Mino province and founded the school. In the Nanbokucho period, his son and apprentices, including Kanetomo, Kanetoshi, and Kanenobu, moved the school to Naoe village in Mino province. Those who belonged to this school were called Naoe Shizu swordsmiths based on where they lived. The maker’s name, Kanenobu, lasted a few generations, and the first-gen Kanenobu was the second son of the Kaneuji, the founder of the school, being active during the mid-Nanbokucho era (1358-). And the second generation was active during the end of the Nanbokucho period (1390-). Shiga Seki Kanenobu is a descendant of a member of this prestigious school. Kanenobu’s works and those of his school show strong influence from Mino-den, the swordsmith tradition of Mino province, which was famous for its practical and sharp cutting ability. Mino-den swords are characterized by togari-ba (pointed shapes in the hamon), straight temper lines mixed with irregular patterns, and sometimes a whitish utsuri (shadow-like reflection on the blade). Originating from Yamato-den in the late Kamakura period (1280–1330), Mino-den flourished throughout the Muromachi period (1333–1573) and continued well into the Edo period (1603–1868). The prosperity of Mino and Owari swordsmiths was closely tied to the turbulent Sengoku Jidai (Warring States period), when the demand for weapons surged. At that time, powerful warlords such as Oda Nobunaga (Owari province), Akechi Mitsuhide (Mino province), and Tokugawa Ieyasu (neighboring Suruga province) dominated central Japan. Because of its geographical location between Kyoto and the Kanto region, Mino was ideally situated for supplying swords to feudal lords. Many Mino swordsmiths, including those of the Kanenobu lineage, were invited to relocate to other domains, which contributed to the spread of their style. This blade is appraised as a Hozon Touken (保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai: 日本美術刀剣保存協会). *Please keep in mind that there are a few Kitae Kizu on the Mune (backbone) of this blade. Fuchi-Kashira The theme of the Fuchi-Kashira is Karakusa (唐草, arabesque) pattern. Karakusa is a pattern in which stems and leaves of vines are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows up without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity. Vine is called Tsuru (蔓) in Japanese, and it has another pronunciation; “Man.” There is a word 万 (it is also read Man), which means ten thousand. In the Karakusa pattern, leaves and vines are connected like Obi (帯, belt). The word “帯” can also be read “Tai.” Due to its pronunciation, the term “代 (Tai)” is associated. From this word-association game, an idiom 万代 is associated, and it means a thousand generations. In other words, we could imagine that people used this design wishing prosperity and longevity for their clans for a long time. Tsuka and Menuki The insect engraved on this menuki is most likely a bee (蜂, hachi). In Japan, bees and their hives have long been regarded as auspicious symbols. Beehives were believed to ward off misfortune and bring prosperity in business, and it was a custom in some regions to display them at house entrances as protective charms. A well-known folk saying goes, “If a beehive is built under the eaves, there will be no fire,” reflecting the belief that bees bring safety and protection to the household. Tsuba and Habaki The theme of this tsuba is Chrysanthemum(菊, Kiku). Chrysanthemum is one of the flowers that symbolize fall, and people have appreciated it very much since ancient times. A long time ago, the chrysanthemum was used as a medicine to obtain a long life in China, and it was brought to Japan with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). As its petals form radially, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. “Kiku no Gomon (菊の御紋)” is a kind of chrysanthemum pattern, and it has been used as the crest of the Emperor and the royal family in Japan, so it is well-known as a noble pattern. Saya This scabbard is covered with black lacquer. Due to its high waterproof effect, lacquer has been used since ancient times in Asia. The blade of a Japanese sword is made of iron, and moisture is the greatest enemy of iron. For the purpose of carrying the blade without degrading it, people devised a method of coating the scabbard with lacquer. To prevent not only moisture but also rain and snow from penetrating the inside of the scabbard, it was necessary to apply multiple layers of lacquer. The Nushi (塗師, lacquerers) was born precisely because advanced techniques were required to handle the complicated processes. *Please keep in mind that there are small area of the scabbard for the Katana where lacquer came off. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on February 1st in the 13th year of Heisei (2001). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society.