日本刀 刀 無銘 会津兼友（伝） 日本美術刀剣保存協会 貴重刀剣認定書付

附属品

NBTHK Kicho Certificate, Koshirae Mounting, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

Category

Katana ( SHIN SHIN TO)

Age

Late Edo Period

Location

Aizu province (Today’s Fukushima prefecture)

登録証

Yamaguchi 18386

販売店の記載のまま

This blade is attributed to Aizu Kanetomo (会津兼友) by NBTHK while there is no signature on the tang. Aizu is the name of the domain (today’s Fukushima prefecture) and the place where Kanetomo resided, forging swords. It is said that the swordsmith name “Kanetomo” lasted 8th generations from the Genroku-early Meij era (Late 17th – Late 19th century). And we believe the attribution is given to the later-gen Kanetomo from the late Edo period(mid-late 19th century) based on the blade’s characteristics. Kanetomo belonged to Aizu Kanesada school. Aizu Kanesada school was founded by Kanesada, who had forged swords in Mino province(Today’s Gifu prefecture) until the Keicho era(1596-1615). This Kanesada was the grandson of Noshu Izumi no Kami Kanesada(濃州和泉守兼定), a renowned swordsmith in Mino province. Kanesada relocated to Aizu from Mino to serve Gamo Ujisato(蒲生氏郷), a powerful feudal lord who worked for Oda Nobunaga. And, Kanesada founded Aizu Kanesada school there. Aizu Kanesada school lasted 11th generations by the end of the Edo period. The first-gen Kanetomo was an apprentice of the third-gen Aizu Kanesada. And, he became a Hanko for the Aizu domain. Hanko means the swordsmith who exclusively served a specific domain. Since then, the generations of Kanetomo had forged swords for the Aizu domain in Fukuchi Prefecture. We believe Kanetomo’s craftsmanship had been highly appreciated among Samurai in Aizu. Fuchi-Kashira It is challenging to judge the exact motifs of this Fuchi Kashira due to aging; however, we could still find flower and bamboo grass-like leave designs. It seems the gold paint was initially applied to these motifs and had a gorgeous look. We hope you will enjoy these things as an antique texture. Tsuka and Menuki It seems that flowers are the motifs of this Menuki. The upper side flowers have six petals. And lower side plants look they are composed of three leaves. We guess each of them might be family crests. For example, the latter plant design is similar to the Ken Katabami (剣片喰) pattern. The Katabami (片喰) is a plant whose leaf has a heart mark shape. People thought this plant design represented the prosperity of descendants; therefore, many Samurais loved this pattern. The Ken Katabami is a combination of swords and Katabami leaves. It is said that people have associated with the Samurai by incorporating the sword motif. Understandably, lots of Samurai families used the Ken Katabami pattern. It shows the relationship between this plant motif and the Samurai culture. Tsuba and Habaki Oval-shaped Tsuba made from iron. This Tsuba’s design depicts four children (or human-like animals) and the Torii (鳥居, a gateway at the entrance to a Shinto shrine). According to a theory, initially, the tree that chickens perch on is the origin of the Torii; these birds are offerings to gods. The Tori (鳥) means bird, so the name Torii came from “Tori ga iru (鳥が居る, there is a bird)” in Japanese. There are several theories about its etymology. The Torii pattern was used by the Torii family and mainly several Shinto-shrine parishioners involved in the priesthood. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on June 6th in the 46th year of Showa era(1971). They appraised it as Kicho Token , an old form of certificate. Registration Number The Board of Aichi in Yamaguchi prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword .