A76239(W6960)

Wakizashi signed KANEMITSU with) Palm leaf Blue pearl of inlay scabbard Chisa-katana style Koshirae

Koto End of Muromachi period (Tenbun era / circa 1532-) Mino
Length of cutting edge 35.2cm Curvature 0.7cm Width of base 29.1mm Thickness of base 5.8mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

with) Palm leaf Blue pearl of inlay scabbard Chisa-katana style Koshirae

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Sugata(configuration) : Hira-zukuri, Iori-mune, wide in Mihaba. The blade has a slight curve near the base as well as upper pointed curve. Upper Fukura area is swelling out in full.
Suken carving in front and the other side has a harmonized groove of Bo-hi with Soe-hi. Such Hirazukuri style Wakizashi was widely spread in End of Muromachi period and created in an awesome style for pursuit of supreme sharp cutting performance.(click
HERE for higher resolution image)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae is conspicuous Itame (wooden grain), mixing with streaming Masame indication on both boundary Hamon area and back ridge of Mune. Some speckled Yubashiri of isolated quenching area appears here and there where generates whitish misty "Utsuri" reflection.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is "Ko-nie" a bit on stronger side of Nie based, varies in shape to form Gunome, Togari-ha and tall tassel-shape Choji. Hamon on both sides is nearly matching each other. Some splashes onto Hiraji where Tobiyaki or Ni-ju-ha is perceived. The interior of temper is filled with misty sparkling Nioi where works with rich activities such as bright Nie of thick "Ashi" feet radiates into the cutting edge , floating "YOU" and brushing thick lines of Nie so called "Sunagashi" crosses over the feet. The entire quench scene shows wide variety of Nie, Nioi and fruitful forging and tempering activities.
Boshi (tip): Boshi forms a large Gunome wavy "Jizo's profile" medium circle turns back deeply.
Nakago(tang) : The tang is UBU original a bit on shorter side to the length of blade. One Mekugi-ana retaining hole. "Higaki" cross pattern file marks. "Ha- agari kurijiri" uneven U-shaped heel. The signature is located underneath the Mekugi-ana a bit on Mune-side two character KANEMITSU 兼光. The entire Nakago preserves clear mark of inscription with an excellent taste of patina.

The founder smith MANEMITSU 兼光, reportedly lived in Yamato province had moved to Seki during Eiwa (1375-) in Nanbokucho period. He organized self-government of sword makers "KAJIZA" 鍛冶座 under the patronage of Kasuga Shrine 春日神社 then established
7 groups so called Shichi-to-sei 七頭制 which was composed of Zenjo 善定, San'ami 三阿弥, Nara, 奈良, Tokuin 得印, Tokunaga 得永, Ryoken 良賢, Muroya 室屋. All these systematic manufacturing laid a foundation for immense prosperity of Mino swords throughout Muromachi period.
KANEMITSU 兼光 and it's families had been in existence throughout Muromachi who belonged to Nara 奈良、Zenjo 善定、Tokuin 得印 branches in generations and some of them during Bunmei (1469-) and Eisho (1504-) reportedly had moved to Tsushima in Owari (now in Tsushima-city, Aichi).
The subject stirring and powerful Hirazukuri Wakizashi remains wide in Mihaba. It's harmonized curve was designed for fast draw and Hirazukuri-construction was working well for cutting through the openings of armor or helmet. Itame forging ware of functional mixture with hard and soft steel was supposed for durable construction.
Such functional performance had been deeply admired by powerful clans during the Warning States of period.
Simplified Suken carving proves a deep religious mind. A darkish dent in a groove near the base is presumed a brilliant achievement in battle.
For the age nearly 500 years, it's remains almost original magnificent shape to show rich activities of Nie and Nioi. Nakago holds superb taste of patina and powerful inscription of signature and clear crossing Yasurime.

with) Palm leaf Blue pearl of inlay scabbard Chisa-katana style Koshirae
(click
HERE for the entire Koshirae in FRONT and HERE for BACK side / click HERE for each fitting)
  • Fuchi/kashira : Botan Peony design Shakudo Polish surface, Takabori Iroe, unsigned
  • Tsuba : Shippo jewels design. Silver ground, unsigned
  • Menuki : Happy married couple (a pair of mandarin ducks) design, ShakudoYobori carving, Takabori gold Iroe
  • Kozuka : Hairyu Dragon design, Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, Takabori Iroe, unsigned
  • Kojiri : Mt. Fuji design, Shakudo ground, Sukisage carving, Takabori, Iroe
  • Tsuka : White rayskin, Black silkcord Moro-hineri style lozenge wrap
Gold foiled Yujo-style Habaki collar,A pair of Gold foiled thick Seppa collar, preserved in a plain Shirasaya mounting
Recent polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data :
Suzuki Takuo/Sugiura Yoshiyuki, Muromachi-ki Mino-Toko-no-kenkyu, Ribun shuppan , 2006