-, 28th Session — Designated December 1, 1981
, : Inshū-jū Kagenaga (later generation) (因州住景長)
Measurements 27.2 cm, (value not stated), 2.65 cm, 10.6 cm
Description Keijō: construction with ; wide ; a slightly elongated () impression; with slight (inward curvature). : mixed with ; adheres. : mixed with a -like manner and somewhat angular elements; adheres well; around the it tends toward a -like appearance; the lower half shows slight (staining). : On the , with a pointed tendency and fine ; on the it turns back in . : : tōmen; : jōkurabe (paired ritual chopsticks of differing lengths). : ; tip ; ; two ; a five-character signature is cut on the , running into/overlapping the central .
Artisan Inshū-jū Kagenaga (later generation)
Era period (appraisal)
Explanation Inshū Kagenaga is well known under the sobriquet “Inaba no Kaji” (the Inaba smith). Tradition holds that the first generation was a pupil of Yoshimasa of Yamashiro Province; he is said to have worked around the Kagen era (1303–1306). The second generation is placed around the Kenmu era (1334–1338), and thereafter the name continued to be inherited down to the end of the period.
Conventionally, when one speaks of Kagenaga one tends to call to mind a fine (straight temper). What merits attention in this , however, is that it hardens a that appears to have taken inspiration from Kagemitsu. In this respect it is a valuable work for understanding the breadth of Kagenaga’s working manner.
Since there are few works by Kagenaga bearing an inscribed date, it is difficult to determine chronology solely from the manner of the signature. Nevertheless, this work is appraised overall as a production of the period.
