説明

Antique Japanese Sword Tanto Signed by Kanetaka with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This Tanto was signed by Kanetaka (金高) in Mino province (Today’s Gifu prefecture) during the late 16th-early 17th century. The maker’s name Kanetaka lasted a few generations from Bunroku era (Late Azuchi Momoyama period: 1592-1596) to the Edo period. 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). It flourished in the MUROMACHI period(1333-1573) and continued until the EDO period(1603-1868). Due to the high demand for weapons, MINO-DEN exceedingly prospered during Sengoku Jidai(Warring State period). And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, 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, and 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 a reputation of their practical design and sharpness. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. This blade was 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) last December. We are are expecting to receive the certificate by mid June. This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value. Its sword mounting was appraised as a Hozon Tosogu. And it was created by using a special technique called Guri Bori (Guri engraving). 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 26.1 cm( 10.3 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0 cm( 0 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. Some metal parts of this Koshirae have the same design: Guri Mon Zu (屈輪文図). The Guri (屈輪) pattern is a continuous curved line design that depicts a shape of a Warabi (蕨, bracken). According to a theory, Shouami Denbei (正阿弥伝兵衛) invented the Guri-Bori (グリ彫り) in the early Edo period. And it is said that it was the origin of the Mokumegane (木目金, a special metal processing technology unique to Japan that creates a wood grain pattern by using the difference in the colors of metals) technique. This Guri-Bori technique is a method that hollow the Karakusa (唐草, arabesque) or the Uzumaki (渦巻, spiral) patterns shape out of a layer of alternating metals of different colors, such as copper and Shakudou (赤銅, the mixture of copper and gold). On this carved part, you would see layered patterns. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. This Menuki has a fan shape. The fan motif has been favored as an auspicious pattern that represents development and prosperity. During the Heian period (794-1185/1192), aristocrats enjoyed elegant plays with fans, and they appreciated the fan itself as a noble item. A fan has a characteristic shape, and i