説明
Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Echigo no Kami Kanesada with NBTHK
Tokubestsu
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
Summary
This blade was signed by Echigo no Kami Kanesada (越後守包貞). The maker’s name Kanesada lasted three generations, and NBTHK appraised this as a work of the first gen who was active during the early Edo period (1648-1673).
His birth name was Yamada Heidayu. He was originally from the Yamato region (Nara prefecture). It is said that he was a descendant of Tegai Kanesada (手掻包貞), a renowned swordsmith in the Yamato region during the Nanbokucho era (Mid-Late 14th century). He moved from Yamato region to Settsu province (Today’s Osaka) to become an apprentice of Iga no Kami Kanemichi.
He received an honorable official title of Echigo no Kami in the 4th year of the Kanbun era (1664) from the emperor for his excellent craftsmanship. This blade was made after 1664 because Echigo no Kami is engraved on the tang.
Iga no Kami Kanemichi (His master)
Kanemichi was originally from Yamato province as well. During the Kanbun era(1661-1673), Kanemichi moved to Settsu province in Osaka prefecture. And he served Mutsuno Kami Kaneyasu, a famous swordsmith in Osaka prefecture. Kanemichi received the title of Iga no Kami for his excellent craftsmanship.
Osaka Shinto
The blades forged by the first-gen Echigo no Kami Kanesada are categorized as Osaka Shinto. Shinto is Japanese Sword terminology that refers to the swords forged during 1596-1781. The blades made in the Osaka area during this period are called Osaka Shinto. There are many famous swordsmiths in this Osaka Shinto era. After Hideyoshi Toyotomi built Osaka castle, Osaka city flourished as a castle town and became a business center. Many swordsmiths moved to Osaka to look for better opportunities. They not only forged swords for those Samurai who lived in Osaka but also for feudal lords nationwide. Ikanshi Tadatsuna(Awataguchi Omi no Kami Tadatsuna), Inoue Shinkai, and Tsuda Sukehiro are the most famous among many swordsmiths.
One of the most notable characteristics of Osaka Shinto is its beauty in Jigane. Jigane is a visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during the forging process), which made it possible by the location of Osaka. Osaka had close access to the production sites of the Tamahagane(special carbon steel to make Japanese swords). The swordsmiths residing in Osaka could get high-quality carbon steel from these sites.
This blade is appraised as a
Tokubetsu Hozon Token
(特別保存刀剣) 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, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value.
*Please keep in mind that there are a couple of Kitae Kizu on the Mune (backbone of the blade) as well as partial black rust on the blade. If you like to see the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)
:
40.2 cm(
15.8 inches)
Curvature(Sori)
:
1.1
cm ( 0.43 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 look. On both the Fuchi and Kashira part, only the edges are colored with gold on plain black grounds. There are minor scratches a