This is a tanto by Kanetsune, a renowned smith from the Mino school, active during the Momoyama period (around Tensho era). Kanetsune is considered one of the great Mino smiths alongside Izumi no Kami Kanesada and Magoroku Kanemoto. This particular smith, Sasuke Kanetsune, was the second son of Sukeuemon, who received a vermilion seal letter from Oda Nobunaga in the second year of Genki (1571) and was known as the head of Seki smiths. Sasuke Kanetsune served Nobunaga and later Toyotomi Hideyori, receiving the title of Sagami no Kami and changing his name to Masatsune in the 19th year of Tensho (1591).
NihontoWatchBETA
Mino-den · Mino · around 1573-1592
Fujishiro Chu-jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 49%
1 piece on the market now
Where Kanetsune stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
Select a lens to see how it's measured.
Mino-den · Owari
12 pieces on the market now
The line begins with a Mino man. The setsumei record that Sagami no Kami Masatsune (政常) was born at Nōdo in Mino Province, where he first signed Kanetsune (兼常) and is variously said to have been the son or a disciple of Kanetsune of Seki. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Masatsune政常 | 1615-1624 | 20 |
| Masatsune政常 | 1661-1673 | 0 |
| Masatsune政常 | 1688-1704 | 0 |
| Masatsune政常 | 1661-1673 | 0 |
| Kanetsune兼常 | 1573-1592 | 1 |
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
This is a tanto by Kanetsune, a renowned smith from the Mino school, active during the Momoyama period (around Tensho era). Kanetsune is considered one of the great Mino smiths alongside Izumi no Kami Kanesada and Magoroku Kanemoto. This particular smith, Sasuke Kanetsune, was the second son of Sukeuemon, who received a vermilion seal letter from Oda Nobunaga in the second year of Genki (1571) and was known as the head of Seki smiths. Sasuke Kanetsune served Nobunaga and later Toyotomi Hideyori, receiving the title of Sagami no Kami and changing his name to Masatsune in the 19th year of Tensho (1591).
NihontoWatchBETAMino-den · Mino · around 1573-1592
Fujishiro Chu-jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 49%
1 piece on the market now
Where Kanetsune stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
Select a lens to see how it's measured.
Mino-den · Owari
12 pieces on the market now
The line begins with a Mino man. The setsumei record that Sagami no Kami Masatsune (政常) was born at Nōdo in Mino Province, where he first signed Kanetsune (兼常) and is variously said to have been the son or a disciple of Kanetsune of Seki. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Masatsune政常 | 1615-1624 | 20 |
| Masatsune政常 | 1661-1673 | 0 |
| Masatsune政常 | 1688-1704 | 0 |
| Masatsune政常 | 1661-1673 | 0 |
| Kanetsune兼常 | 1573-1592 | 1 |
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
