This is a wakizashi by the 2nd generation Kanewaka, known as Matasuke, from Kaga province, active during the Meireki era (1655-1658). The blade features beautiful tobiyaki and a well-preserved jihada, recently polished to highlight its qualities. It comes with a full koshirae, including a tsuba with gold accents in Kaga style and fuchi-kashira with an ume (plum blossom) motif, and is accompanied by two certificates.
NihontoWatchmei · Kanewaka School · Kanei (1624-1644) · nagasa 41.8cm · sori 1.4cm
Shinto · Kaga · around 1624-1644
Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 37%
2 pieces on the market now
Kanewaka of Kashu was originally from Mino Province and later relocated to Kaga, establishing what would become one of the most distinguished shinto lineages of the Hokuriku region. The first generation, known as Tsujimura Jinroku, began forging swords in Kaga with dated works commencing from Keicho 9 (1604); around Genna 5 (1619) he received the court title Etchu no Kami and changed his name to Takahira. The second generation, called Matasuke, was the third son of the founder, born in Keicho 17 (1612) and active from Kan'ei through Enpo, dying in Enpo 5 (1677) at the age of sixty-six. The third generation, Shiroemon, was the legitimate heir of Matasuke and carried on the family tradition from the Kanbun era through Shotoku, a span of roughly fifty years. It is said that early in his career the third generation frequently produced works made in his father's stead and also executed pieces bearing his father's name as dai-saku and dai-mei. A fourth generation, Tsujiura Shiroemon, inherited the name after his father's death, and his works have been recognized even among the imperial collection.
The Kanewaka lineage retained a strong Mino flavor deriving from its place of origin. The first generation's workmanship characteristically shows a midare tendency mixed with gunome and pointed togariba, with nie adhering well; tobiyaki appear, and the nioiguchi is bright. His forging displays itame-hada with a tendency toward flowing grain, the hada standing out with chikei and abundant ji-nie, imparting an antique impression noted by examiners as characteristic of the northern provinces' workmanship. From the second generation onward, a clearly defined hako-ba became the family's most recognized hallmark: the valleys of the midare assume angular, boxed contours in a manner the setsumei consistently describe as hako-gakatta. The second generation's gunome-midare with ko-notare, angular notare, and deep nioi clearly exhibits the traits of Kaga work, while sunagashi sweeps conspicuously through the temper and kinsuji appear. In the third generation, the hakoba tends to become more sharply defined, and works in masame forging, while comparatively uncommon, demonstrate the breadth of the school's technical range.
Taken collectively, the Kanewaka school produced swords of a forceful, spirited presence. Each generation was highly skilled, and the setsumei note that the third generation proved worthy of his father and grandfather. Particularly distinctive are their taka-no-ha influences and vigorous hotsure along the edge, with the boshi characteristically finishing in hakikake. The school's works span katana, wakizashi, ken, and tanto, and examples bearing the maker's common name or precise dates are valued as documentary material. Among early shinto smiths of Kaga, the Kanewaka line stands as a defining presence, and its finest works are praised as possessing both dignified taihai and bold vigor.
Where Kanewaka 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.
Years he was demonstrably active, proven by signed-and-dated blades
Shinto · Kaga
6 pieces on the market now
Among the shintō workshops of the northern provinces, the Kanewaka line of Kaga (Kashū) traces its root to Mino. The setsumei record that the first-generation smith was a son of Shihōsuke Kanewaka of Seki and that, though he stood in the lineage of the Seki smiths, he forged his blades in Kaga. " The second generation, Matasuke, was the third son of the first, born in Keichō 17 (1612), active from Kan'ei through Enpō, and dead in Enpō 5 (1677) at sixty-six. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Kanewaka兼若 | 1596-1619 | 10 |
| Kanewaka兼若 | 1673-1681 | 4 |
| Kanewaka兼若 | 1624-1644 | 2 |
| Takahira高平 | 1673-1681 | 1 |
| Yukimitsu行光 | 1469-1487 | 1 |
The NTHK’s principal certificate, issued for a blade of considerable quality. It confirms a genuine signature, or, for an unsigned (mumei) work, records the judges’ attribution to a smith or school. The paper carries a detailed worksheet with a numerical point score.
The NTHK (Nihon Tōken Hozon Kai, the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword) is the oldest of Japan’s sword-appraisal bodies, founded in 1910, decades before the NBTHK. After the death of its long-serving head it divided into two successor societies, the NTHK and the NTHK-NPO, both of which continue to hold shinsa. NTHK certificates are known for a detailed worksheet that records a numerical point score alongside the judges’ written opinion, and the society is especially respected for its attribution of unsigned (mumei) work.
All swords come with a three-day inspection period beginning from the date of delivery. If not satisfied, the sword may be returned within this period for a full refund of the purchase price. Outside of this period, all sales are final. Swords purchased on a layaway payment plan are not eligible for the three-day inspection period.
This is a wakizashi by the 2nd generation Kanewaka, known as Matasuke, from Kaga province, active during the Meireki era (1655-1658). The blade features beautiful tobiyaki and a well-preserved jihada, recently polished to highlight its qualities. It comes with a full koshirae, including a tsuba with gold accents in Kaga style and fuchi-kashira with an ume (plum blossom) motif, and is accompanied by two certificates.
NihontoWatchmei · Kanewaka School · Kanei (1624-1644) · nagasa 41.8cm · sori 1.4cm
Shinto · Kaga · around 1624-1644
Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 37%
2 pieces on the market now
Kanewaka of Kashu was originally from Mino Province and later relocated to Kaga, establishing what would become one of the most distinguished shinto lineages of the Hokuriku region. The first generation, known as Tsujimura Jinroku, began forging swords in Kaga with dated works commencing from Keicho 9 (1604); around Genna 5 (1619) he received the court title Etchu no Kami and changed his name to Takahira. The second generation, called Matasuke, was the third son of the founder, born in Keicho 17 (1612) and active from Kan'ei through Enpo, dying in Enpo 5 (1677) at the age of sixty-six. The third generation, Shiroemon, was the legitimate heir of Matasuke and carried on the family tradition from the Kanbun era through Shotoku, a span of roughly fifty years. It is said that early in his career the third generation frequently produced works made in his father's stead and also executed pieces bearing his father's name as dai-saku and dai-mei. A fourth generation, Tsujiura Shiroemon, inherited the name after his father's death, and his works have been recognized even among the imperial collection.
The Kanewaka lineage retained a strong Mino flavor deriving from its place of origin. The first generation's workmanship characteristically shows a midare tendency mixed with gunome and pointed togariba, with nie adhering well; tobiyaki appear, and the nioiguchi is bright. His forging displays itame-hada with a tendency toward flowing grain, the hada standing out with chikei and abundant ji-nie, imparting an antique impression noted by examiners as characteristic of the northern provinces' workmanship. From the second generation onward, a clearly defined hako-ba became the family's most recognized hallmark: the valleys of the midare assume angular, boxed contours in a manner the setsumei consistently describe as hako-gakatta. The second generation's gunome-midare with ko-notare, angular notare, and deep nioi clearly exhibits the traits of Kaga work, while sunagashi sweeps conspicuously through the temper and kinsuji appear. In the third generation, the hakoba tends to become more sharply defined, and works in masame forging, while comparatively uncommon, demonstrate the breadth of the school's technical range.
Taken collectively, the Kanewaka school produced swords of a forceful, spirited presence. Each generation was highly skilled, and the setsumei note that the third generation proved worthy of his father and grandfather. Particularly distinctive are their taka-no-ha influences and vigorous hotsure along the edge, with the boshi characteristically finishing in hakikake. The school's works span katana, wakizashi, ken, and tanto, and examples bearing the maker's common name or precise dates are valued as documentary material. Among early shinto smiths of Kaga, the Kanewaka line stands as a defining presence, and its finest works are praised as possessing both dignified taihai and bold vigor.
Where Kanewaka 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.
Years he was demonstrably active, proven by signed-and-dated blades
Shinto · Kaga
6 pieces on the market now
Among the shintō workshops of the northern provinces, the Kanewaka line of Kaga (Kashū) traces its root to Mino. The setsumei record that the first-generation smith was a son of Shihōsuke Kanewaka of Seki and that, though he stood in the lineage of the Seki smiths, he forged his blades in Kaga. " The second generation, Matasuke, was the third son of the first, born in Keichō 17 (1612), active from Kan'ei through Enpō, and dead in Enpō 5 (1677) at sixty-six. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Kanewaka兼若 | 1596-1619 | 10 |
| Kanewaka兼若 | 1673-1681 | 4 |
| Kanewaka兼若 | 1624-1644 | 2 |
| Takahira高平 | 1673-1681 | 1 |
| Yukimitsu行光 | 1469-1487 | 1 |
The NTHK’s principal certificate, issued for a blade of considerable quality. It confirms a genuine signature, or, for an unsigned (mumei) work, records the judges’ attribution to a smith or school. The paper carries a detailed worksheet with a numerical point score.
The NTHK (Nihon Tōken Hozon Kai, the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword) is the oldest of Japan’s sword-appraisal bodies, founded in 1910, decades before the NBTHK. After the death of its long-serving head it divided into two successor societies, the NTHK and the NTHK-NPO, both of which continue to hold shinsa. NTHK certificates are known for a detailed worksheet that records a numerical point score alongside the judges’ written opinion, and the society is especially respected for its attribution of unsigned (mumei) work.
All swords come with a three-day inspection period beginning from the date of delivery. If not satisfied, the sword may be returned within this period for a full refund of the purchase price. Outside of this period, all sales are final. Swords purchased on a layaway payment plan are not eligible for the three-day inspection period.
