Length of cutting edge28.4cm Inward sprout curve Width of base24.3mm Thickness of base5.3mm
Forging(Hada): Based on delicate small Mokume generally, striking Masame well-ordered layered stripes. Ji-nie hard metal granules attach along Masame streams.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is Nie based, rather Nie sparkling glitter attaches, Suguha with shallow wavy indicate. Deep in Nioi mist in the interior where works with frequent Sunagashi stream and temper edge shows Hotsure fray indication. The entire temper gives off sparkling brilliance vividly.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of Boshi is small circle with intensive Hakikake like thunder storms swept away.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One peg hole. Sujikai (slanting left) filemarks. The signature in Hakiomote is five large character that starts with living place Ga shu ju, then smith name Kane waka.
The founder 四方助兼若 [Shihōsuke-KANEWAKA] in Koto period was born in Seki town, Mino province then moved to 犬山城 Inuyama Castle Town during Tensho (1573-91), said as a posterity of Shizu-Saburo Kaneuji. It is other opinion that he was the second son of Matchlock maker 江州国友村辻村四郎右衛門 [Tsujimura Shirōuemon in Kunitomo town, Kōshu province] who set his heart on becoming a sword smith to learn either from 兼道 [Kanemichi] or 氏房 [Ujifusa]. His wish was fulfilled to exclusively work for 前田利家 Maeda Toshiie.
The head of sword smiths in Kaga province during Shinto Edo period is widely known as 兼若 [KANEWAKA]. He successfully met with preference of beauty not only it's cutting performance from Samurais in Kaga. 前田利長 Maeda Toshinaga, Japanese daimyo who was the second head of the Kaga Domain, promoted smith 清光 [KIYOMITSU] of Fujishima school and 勝家[ KATSUIKE], 家重 [IESHIGE] of Darani school in ordinary to the KAGA domain. The first smith 甚六兼若 [Jinroku-KANEWAKA] was offered the head position in Kaga Domain by the third head daimyo 前田利常 Maeda Toshitsune. then he moved to Kaga from Mino province between 10-11th year of Keicho (1605-1606). He enjoyed 越中守 [Echu-no-kami] title and changed his smith name 高平 [TAKAHIRA] in the 9th month, the 5th year of Gen-na (1619).
This Tanto is the work of second generation 又助兼若 Matasuke-KANEWAKA, the third son of Jinroku-KANEWAKA. He was born in the 15th year of Keicho (1610), died in the first month, the fifth year of Enpo (1677), 66 years old.
It is rather long, thick in kasane, rather wide in Mihaba and massive in hand. Forging is absolute Masame straight grain layered stripes like a comet.
This tanto shows a close resembles to the work National treasure [Meibutsu Kuwayama Hōsho] Tanto signed 『高市郡住金吾藤貞吉 元亨二二年甲子十月十八日』 [Takaichikori-ju Kiongo Fuji SADAYOSHI Rabbit, the first calendar sign in the 18th day,10th month of Genkō (1324)] who was possessed by 前田利常 Maeda Toshitsune, and had been heirloom treasured of Maeda daimyo in generations.
Silver ground gold foiled Habaki collar. preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting.
reference data:
[Kashu Shinto Taikan] NBTHK Ishikawa branch, 1973
[The beauty of Tanto - Iron Brightness] Sano Art Museum, 2009
