Auspicious sign of the 5th Day, 5th Month, in the 5th year of Heisei
Length of cutting edge 25.0cm No curvature Width of base 26.0mm Thickness of base 6.0mm
Forging(Hada): Forging is pronounced Ko-Itame hada in general. Remarkable grain of Itame and Mokume burl appears in places and flowing Masame ware perceived in mostly upper area. Those wares stand out according to darkish Chikei ware that comes from different state of carbon contents against the sparkling martensite glitter so called Ji-Nie.
Hamon : Hamon is Gunome mixing with a few indication of Togari-ha. There is rich Nie activity of which interior is covered in deep Nioi-mist and temper edge is thickly accumulated with sparkling Nie in uniform and long feet of Ashi in different angles where works with delicate lines of Sunagashi activity.
Temper of tip(Boshi) : Boshi blushes up so called Hakikake of which tip indicates Sunagashi - sweep up Nie activity, small circle turns back.
Tang(Nakago) : Nakago is UBU in original. One peg hole. Filemark is Katte-sagari slanting left. Kurijiri (double bevelled) heel shape on bottom.
Signature in front is inscribed in 5 character that reads Fujiwara KANEFUSA saku 藤原兼房作 and the other side is Best wish for an auspicious sign of the 5th Day, 5th Month, 5th year of Heisei 平成五年五月五日吉祥日. Furthermore the back ridge of Nakago is inscribed as KANEUJI 兼氏 to prove a joint work with his youger brother Minoru Kato 加藤実.
This is a superb Tanto by the great sword smith the 24th generation KANEFUSA 兼房. His real name is Takao Kato 加藤孝雄 who was born in 1922. He became an official authorized sword maker in 1955 and had succeeded to KANEFUSA lineage ever since Muromachi period in 1967.
Kanefusa 兼房 who paralleled to KANESADA 兼定 or KANEMOTO 兼元 has flourished throughout Japan ever since Muromachi Koto period. He has been awarded the Kunzan prize, Yushu and Shōrei prize continuously by the contest held by N.P.O. Japanese Sword Preservation Society (NBTHK).
He also awarded an important intangible cultural heritage by Gifu prefecture in Heisei 7 (1995). He proudly dedicated swords to Atsuta-jingu and Ise-jingu Shrine, passed away in the 28th, August, 2013, was 90 years old.
This masterpiece, as inscribed on Mune bears "KANEUJI" 兼氏 in mind a smith name of his brother, ardently admired the work of Shizu-Sasburo KANEUJI 志津三郎兼氏 from late Kamakura period. There are splendidly active with abundant activities of Nie and Nioi, vividly bright in extreme beauty. Among similar works, this tanto is a delight and was elaborately made for a talisman of the Boy's Festival on May 5 to pray and wish the healthy growth of the boys in the family.
Original polish/Condition scale: almost mint (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
Silver habaki collar, preserved in Shira-Saya mounting, Tanto bag with Fusahimo and an original exclusive paulownia box included.
