説明

Antique Japanese Sword Daisho Signed by Kanemoto with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Both Katana and Wakizashi were signed by Kanemoto(兼元). According to NBTHK, these two blades were forged by later-gen Kanemoto during the late Muromachi period( 1492~1569 ). The swordsmith Kanemoto lasted 27th generations from the Muromachi period 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 gen of Kanemoto was good at forging swords with Sanbon Sugi tempering line(Hamon in Japanese). Sanbon Sugi tempering line resembles a small cedar tree/forest growing horizontally. Those who forged swords in Mino province at the end of the Muromachi period are called Sue-Seki. 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). The school flourished in the MUROMACHI period(1333-1573) and continued until the EDO period(1603-1868). 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, and 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. While the signature of Katana is the standard type, that of Wakizashi is unusual looking. This is called Orikaeshi Mei(折返し銘). It is often the case that the signature was cut when adjusting the size of the blade. However, sometimes, Japanese swordsmiths folded the signature part and put it to the other side to keep the signature. That is why the signature of this Wakizashi looks upside down. 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. They have such a fancy appearance that we believe a high-ranked Samurai owned them. If you like dragon, we are confident you would like this pair of Daisho Koshirae. Appraisal These blades are appraised as a Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). 【 Blade】 -Katana Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 63.3 cm( 24.9 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.51 cm(0.59 inches) -Wakizashi Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 48.8 cm(19.2 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.27 cm( 0.50 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 -Katana -Wakizashi 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 ar