-, 36th Session — Designated May 25, 1990
, : Sanenaga (真長)
Measurements 73.2 cm, 1.6 cm, 3.1 cm, 2.0 cm, 3.5 cm, 18.5 cm, 0.1 cm
Description Keijō: , ; standard ; the is high; with ; somewhat extended. : mixed with ; overall the is standing (), with and entering. : mixed with shallow ; with and ; overall showing a reverse tendency (); the is tight, primarily with adhering; lightly appears. : ; with a pointed tendency, ending in ; finely . : None. : ; ; ; two ; on the , above the lower and close to the , there is a two-character signature.
Artisan Sanenaga (真長), school of province
Era Late period (early 14th century)
Explanation This is a signed by Sanenaga of the school of province. In general, when one refers to “Sanenaga,” the well-known smith of the school in province comes to mind; however, it is transmitted that a smith of the name also existed in . Sword reference works record two makers named Sanenaga: one said to have lived in Manju-no-shō in around the Enkei era (1308–1311), and another said to have worked around the Gentoku era (1329–1331).
Judging from the workmanship of the and , and also from the character of the inscription—somewhat large, executed in a semi-cursive (gyōsho) style with decisive chisel work—this blade is to be considered the work of the above-mentioned -school Sanenaga.
Although the is of standard proportion, the blade has a high and a pronounced , producing a powerful appearance with well-balanced (the distribution of “meat” in the blade). The forging, with its standing and intermingled , is excellent; and within the tight- , the activity of and is also noteworthy. Moreover, the , rising slightly and finishing in a tightly contained manner, reveals characteristics distinctive to this group.
