UK
Sword Register No. 90
Type:
Shinto katana
Nagasa:
66.0 cm
Saki-haba: 3.0 cm
Moto-haba: 2.1 cm
Sugata: Shinogi-zukuri,
iori-mune, with a shallow and even tori-zori tapering to a ko-kissaki. The
kissaki has a full fukura.
Jihada:
Tight ko-mokume with ji-nie.
Hamon:
Predominantly o-gunome midare with occasional choji like inclusions, in
nie, with some nioi. The gunome reaching the shinogi in places. Quieter
approximately 5cm towards the machi area, where it is mostly ko-midare with a
single togari. Short sunagashi brushing through the hamon throughout. The boshi
is hakikake and slightly midare-komi with kaeri.
Nakago:
Three mekugi-ana with a fourth combined with the top hole. Possibly slightly suriage, kiri yasuri and ending in ha-agari
kuri-jiri. Signed on the omote INSHU JU FUJIWARA KANESAKI.
The
sword is of a good length and in good condition with no faults or flaws
apparent. The hamon is wide and eye catching as it reaches the shinogi in
places, although the quieter section, which looks more “Mino” than the rest
of the blade, appears like a yakidashi section. The shallow zori and distinct
tapering towards the ko-kissaki, conveys the distinct impression of swords
dating from the Kanbun period. (1661-1672). This style was especially
represented by Edo-shinto swords popularised by smiths such as Nagasone Kotetsu
and Yamato (no) Kami Yasusada, but it seems that some swordsmiths in the
provinces were also influenced by this especially practical style of
swordmaking, that reflected the increasing use of the shinai (which was
straight) in the kendo of that time. This sword has somewhat more zori than
those Edo swords previously mentioned.
The
line of swordsmiths named Kanesaki originated in Koto times and, coming from
Seki, followed the Mino tradition of swordmaking that was pre-eminent at that
time. During the Tensho era ((1573- 1591) the head of the family moved to Inaba
province (Inshu) and founded the so-called “Inshu Kanesaki” line of
swordsmiths. Several generations worked through to one named Hoki Yazuburo
Miochi in the Ansei era (1854). However, I believe that the maker of this sword
is the third generation of Inshu swordsmiths. His personal name was Hioki
Hyouemon and he was the son Hioki Suemon Kanesaki, the nidai and also grandson
of the Kanesaki that moved from Seki to Inaba. Many of his swords were tempered
in gunome although he also made some in suguha. He was the most prolific of the
Inshu Kanesaki line and was active in the Kanbun period, which is confirmed by
the sugata of this sword. The mei corresponds well to that shown in
Shinto-Taikan. Interestingly, it was with this generation Inshu Kanesaki that
started the habit of having the name Kanetsugu before becoming the head of the
family and adopting the Kanesaki name.
This
swordsmith is rated as Chujosaku (better than average) by Fujishiro and this
sword was designated as Tokubetsu Hozon by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai,
at their August 2003 shinsa. It is contained in a shira-saya with saya-gaki by
Tanobe Michihiro and is understood to have koshirae which was not present at the
time of appraisal.
Clive
Sinclaire
Bexley,
June 2008