説明

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Kanemoto with Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade has Kinzogan Mei of Kanemoto(兼元). According to NBTHK that appraised this blade, it was forged during the SHINTO era(1596 A.D.-1763 A.D.). We believe this blade was made during the early Edo period based on its style and characteristics. About Kinzogan Mei Kinzogan Mei is a signature made by an appraiser of Japanese swordsmiths during the Samurai era, especially during the Edo period. The appraiser chiseled the swordsmith’s name he attributed to an unsigned blade and then put pure gold on each letter. It was a luxury to ask an appraiser to make a Kinzogan Mei because of the cost of pure gold and skilled labor. Therefore, we assume the previous owner who submitted this blade to an appraiser must have been a wealthy Samurai. About Kanemoto The swordsmith name “Kanemoto” lasted 27th generations from the Muromachi period(early 16th century) to the Heisei period(modern-day). It is said the most skilled Kanemoto of all is the second-gen, also known as Magoroku, who was one of the most famous MINO swordsmiths from the Muromachi period. He forged swords in the Mino province, which is renowned for a particular sword style called MINO-DEN. Each generation was good at creating swords with Sanbon Sugi tempering line(Hamon in Japanese). Sanbon Sugi tempering line resembles a small cedar tree/forest growing horizontally. This blade has this particular Hamon(tempering line). About 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 “Kanemoto” was one of the most famous even after the warring state ended. NBTHK Appraisal This blade is appraised as a Hozon Token(保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK(Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, well preserved with artistic value. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 69.4 cm( 27.3 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.8 cm( 0.71 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 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. This Fuchi Kashira has a simple design, and its surface is decorated with tiny protrusions. A characteristic chisel made these dots; it gives a decorative look for the work and is practical as slip resistance. This sword’s handle has a gorgeous appearance due to the handle color and the Menuki’s motif; this Fuchi Kashira’s design matches well with other sword mountings of this Koshirae. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its d