説明
Antique Japanese Sword Daisho Signed by the third-gen/fourth-gen Kyo Yoshimichi with NBTHK
Tokubetsu
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
Summary
The Katana blade was signed by the third-gen Kyo Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi (三代京丹波守吉道), who was active during 1661-1681. And the Wakizashi blade was signed by the fourth gen Kyo Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi (四代京丹波守吉道), who was active during 1673-1688. The swordsmith name Yoshimichi prospered in both Osaka and Kyoto for generations during the Edo period. And to distinguish two Yoshimichi, The one in Kyoto is called Kyo Yoshimichi, and the other one is called Osaka Yoshimichi. NBTHK judged which generation of Kyo Yoshimichi forged each blade and mentioned in the certificates.
Both the third-gen and fourth gen Kyo Yoshimichi belonged to the prestigious school called Mishina (三品) school.
The birth name of the third-gen was Mishina Tokuzaemon (三品特左衛門). And, he received Tanba no Kami title in the second year of the Kanbun era (1662) but he deceased in the 9th year of the Kanbun era (1669). Therefore, there are not many remaining works signed by the third-gen Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi. The birth name of the fourth-gen was Mishina Kichinojyo (三品吉之丞). He received the same title in the 12th year of the Kanbun Era (1672).
Tanba no Kami was hereditary title the generations of Yoshimichi received in their career. Kami is the honorable official title given by the imperial court for one’s excellent craftsmanship.
Both the third-gen and fourth-gen were allowed to inscribe a chrysanthemum emblem, which is the symbol of the Japanese emperor. Their sword forging technique was so great that the emperor permitted him to use this emblem, which was honorable for any swordsmith. Both blades have this chrysanthemum emblem.
The first-gen Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi
The first-gen Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi belonged to Kyoto Mishina school and was one of the sons of the Mishina school’s founder. Mishina school was created by the first-gen Mutsu no Kami Omichi (陸奥守大道), also known as Kanemichi. It is said that initially, he was from Mino province, exclusively forging blades for Shingen Takeda, a famous feudal lord. Later on, he moved to Kyoto by bringing his four sons and founded his school in Kyoto. Five sons were Iga no Kami Kinmichi(伊賀守金道)、Izumi no Kami Rai Kinmichi(和泉守来金道),
Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi(丹波守吉道)
and Echu no kami Masatoshi(越中守正俊). His sons were known as Kyoto Gokaji(京都五鍛冶), prestigious swordsmiths forging in Kyoto in the early Edo period.
The first-gen Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi
developed a unique Hamon pattern(tempering line) called Sudareba(簾刃). Sudare means traditional screens or blinds in Japanese. The Hamon pattern he invented resembles its appearance to Sudare. The Wakizashi blade has a beautiful Sudareba Hamon. This special characteristic was passed down to generations of Yoshimichi.
Mishina school was prosperous throughout the Edo period and spread to other parts of Japan, such as Osaka. The superb craftsmanship of the Mishina school was passed down for generations. The 3rd and 4th-gen Yoshimichi are a good examples, and you can see excellent artistry from these blades. Kyo Yoshimichi school lasted seven generations by the end of the Edo period.
What is Daisho?
Daisho is a pair of two Japanese swords Samurai carried. During the Edo period, having Daisho in public places was considered social status for Samurai. Furthermore, Samurai were required to wear them under the law back then. Daisho is written as 大=Big and 小=Small. Dai part means Katana, and Sho part means Wakizashi. We are confident you would like this pair of Daisho Koshirae.
Appraisal
This Katana/Wakizashi blade are appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token(特別保存刀剣) . They were issued by NBTHK(Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). These authentication papers were only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value.
*Please keep in mind that there is small visible Kitae Kizu on the Katana blade. W