TokuhoNew this week
上総介藤原兼重（虎鉄の兄弟子）（新撰組八番隊組長藤堂平助の差料としても有名） Kazusanosuke Fujiwara Kaneshige
¥580,000
Smith
上総介藤原兼重 Kazusanosuke Fujiwara Kaneshige
Era
Edo
Specifications
Nagasa
55.4 cm
Sori
1.3 cm
Motohaba
3.06 cm
Sakihaba
1.9 cm
NihontoWatchBETAIt has arrived, it has arrived—a precious *meito* *wakizashi* by Kazusa no Suke Fujiwara Kaneshige, which bears a striking resemblance to the masterpieces of Kotetsu. He is famous as the *saryo* of Todo Heisuke, the captain of the Shinsengumi's 8th unit. Todo Heisuke possessed a brave and daring character; in the Ikedaya Incident and other Shinsengumi battles in Kyoto, his nature of being the first to charge in earned him the nickname "Sakigake Sensei" (Master Pioneer). His skill with the sword reached the *mokuroku* level in Hokushin Itto-ryu, and he was counted among the Shinsengumi Shitenno (Four Heavenly Kings) alongside Okita Soji, Nagakura Shinpachi, and Saito Hajime. A handsome man who was well-educated, he was an Edokko accomplished in both literary and military arts, beloved by Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo. It is said that Todo Heisuke was an illegitimate child of the Todo family, which is why he was able to carry a *meito* by Kazusa no Suke Kaneshige, which was among the most expensive blades at the time. Works by Kazusa no Suke Kaneshige are rarely seen today; it has long been said this is because they so closely resemble the work of Kotetsu that many had Kotetsu *mei* added to them in later generations. Kotetsu's teacher's father, Izumi no Kami Kaneshige, was active as an arrowhead smith during the Echizen era, later moving to Edo to become a swordsmith and flourishing as the *kakae-kaji* (retained smith) for Todo Takatora. The *mei* of Kotetsu was initially carved as "Kotetsu" (Old Iron), but he later adopted the character "Ko" (Tiger) from Lord Todo Takatora out of respect. It was once said that Todo Takatora, famous as a master castle builder favored by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, received the title Izumi no Kami, and thus Kaneshige changed his name from Izumi no Kami to Kazusa no Suke out of deference to Takatora. However, subsequent research shows that this Kazusa no Suke Kaneshige was the son of Izumi no Kami Kaneshige and the senior apprentice to Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu, teaching Kotetsu forging techniques while the two greatly refined their skills together. This *wakizashi* exhibits the *Kanbun Shinto* *sugata* identical to Kotetsu, with a distinct difference between the *moto-mihaba* and *saki-mihaba* and shallow *sori*. The *jigane* is forged in *ko-itame hada*, revealing a bright, fine, and powerful steel. The *hamon* is in *nioi-deki* with abundant *nie*, featuring a *notare-ba* mixed with *gunome-ba*. The *ashi* of the *gunome* are thick, and the *gunome* are continuous, forming a *juzu-ba*. It is a magnificent *wakizashi* where one can see the masterpiece style of Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu. One can only be grateful that it survived without having its *mei* changed to Kotetsu. This time, we received this from an old family of the Kishu Domain who said, "We have grown old; this is a *wakizashi* we have cherished as a Kotetsu, but please pass it on at a low price to someone who will treasure it." Because there is some slight wear due to age, we are offering it at a special bargain price. If polished and submitted for *Tokubetsu Hozon Token* certification, one can expect it to rise even further in status. Please enjoy this masterpiece *wakizashi* that rivals Kotetsu.
NihontoWatchBETA¥580,000
上総介藤原兼重 Kazusanosuke Fujiwara Kaneshige
Edo
55.4 cm
1.3 cm
3.06 cm
1.9 cm
It has arrived, it has arrived—a precious *meito* *wakizashi* by Kazusa no Suke Fujiwara Kaneshige, which bears a striking resemblance to the masterpieces of Kotetsu. He is famous as the *saryo* of Todo Heisuke, the captain of the Shinsengumi's 8th unit. Todo Heisuke possessed a brave and daring character; in the Ikedaya Incident and other Shinsengumi battles in Kyoto, his nature of being the first to charge in earned him the nickname "Sakigake Sensei" (Master Pioneer). His skill with the sword reached the *mokuroku* level in Hokushin Itto-ryu, and he was counted among the Shinsengumi Shitenno (Four Heavenly Kings) alongside Okita Soji, Nagakura Shinpachi, and Saito Hajime. A handsome man who was well-educated, he was an Edokko accomplished in both literary and military arts, beloved by Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo. It is said that Todo Heisuke was an illegitimate child of the Todo family, which is why he was able to carry a *meito* by Kazusa no Suke Kaneshige, which was among the most expensive blades at the time. Works by Kazusa no Suke Kaneshige are rarely seen today; it has long been said this is because they so closely resemble the work of Kotetsu that many had Kotetsu *mei* added to them in later generations. Kotetsu's teacher's father, Izumi no Kami Kaneshige, was active as an arrowhead smith during the Echizen era, later moving to Edo to become a swordsmith and flourishing as the *kakae-kaji* (retained smith) for Todo Takatora. The *mei* of Kotetsu was initially carved as "Kotetsu" (Old Iron), but he later adopted the character "Ko" (Tiger) from Lord Todo Takatora out of respect. It was once said that Todo Takatora, famous as a master castle builder favored by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, received the title Izumi no Kami, and thus Kaneshige changed his name from Izumi no Kami to Kazusa no Suke out of deference to Takatora. However, subsequent research shows that this Kazusa no Suke Kaneshige was the son of Izumi no Kami Kaneshige and the senior apprentice to Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu, teaching Kotetsu forging techniques while the two greatly refined their skills together. This *wakizashi* exhibits the *Kanbun Shinto* *sugata* identical to Kotetsu, with a distinct difference between the *moto-mihaba* and *saki-mihaba* and shallow *sori*. The *jigane* is forged in *ko-itame hada*, revealing a bright, fine, and powerful steel. The *hamon* is in *nioi-deki* with abundant *nie*, featuring a *notare-ba* mixed with *gunome-ba*. The *ashi* of the *gunome* are thick, and the *gunome* are continuous, forming a *juzu-ba*. It is a magnificent *wakizashi* where one can see the masterpiece style of Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu. One can only be grateful that it survived without having its *mei* changed to Kotetsu. This time, we received this from an old family of the Kishu Domain who said, "We have grown old; this is a *wakizashi* we have cherished as a Kotetsu, but please pass it on at a low price to someone who will treasure it." Because there is some slight wear due to age, we are offering it at a special bargain price. If polished and submitted for *Tokubetsu Hozon Token* certification, one can expect it to rise even further in status. Please enjoy this masterpiece *wakizashi* that rivals Kotetsu.
NihontoWatchBETA¥580,000
上総介藤原兼重 Kazusanosuke Fujiwara Kaneshige
Edo
55.4 cm
1.3 cm
3.06 cm
1.9 cm
