T162672(W2745)
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Wakizashi signed Mutsu-no-kami Fujiwara KANENOBU
with) Black lacquered 3-bu notches style scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (Meireki era/ circa 1655-) Mino
Length of cutting edge 49.5cm Curvature 1.0cm Width of base 31.6mm Thickness of base 7.6mm

NBTHK(Hozon)certificate

with) Black lacquered 3-bu notches style scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae

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Blade construction: This is a heroic wakizashi of Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, Mihaba width is rather on wider side and Kasane thickness is extremely thick and Shinogi-ridge is taller than back ridge holding massive volume of Hiraniku, heavy on hands. There is appropriate curvature and upper Fukura area is swelling in full leading to a medium tip. (click HERE for super sized image of entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Kitae is conspicuously well knead Itame-hada whereas Masame-hada is perceived on the area of Shinogi-ji. The entire skin of Hiraji shows sparkling martensite crystals of Ji-nie to generate black gleaming lines of Chikei activity. It is entirely and splendidly active with conspicuous Itame forging mark.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon of visible hardening pattern is picturesque Sanbon-sugi scene that has it's origin from KANEMOTO 兼元 from Koto period. Hamon is a bit tight Nioi based and boundary line is covered with a bit on stronger side sparkling martensite crystal of Nie and the interior is filled in with mist-like Nioi. Long feet of Ashi emit frequently toward the cutting edge. Short lines of Nie Sunagashi, thick lines of Kinsen stream across the feet of Ashi. The entire hamon is rich in activity with sparkling Nie and misty Nioi.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Hamon of Boshi is strong large Gunome on Yokote and irregurarly Midarekomi high in temper to form Ichimai-boshi and small circle turns deeply back to back ridge Muneyaki.
Tang(Nakago): UBU in original. Two mekugi-ana retaining holes. Takanoha V-shape filemarks. Round shape bottom heel of Kurijiri in full. Back ridge has contoured round with Kiri horizontal filemark. The signature on Hakiomote starts with an official title of Mutsu-no-kami 陸奥守, name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and the name of smith KANENOBU 兼信.

The smith founder KANENOBU 兼信 who was active during Enbun era (middle of 14 th century/Nanbokucho period) is said a son or pupil of the famed smith Shizu Saburo KANEUJI 志津三郎兼氏. The descendant smiths moved to Naoe town 直江 in Nanbokucho era then moved to Akasaka 赤坂 then later to Seki 関 in Muromachi period.
The subject maker smith KANENOBU 兼信 with Mutsu-no-kami 陸奥守 title was active Meireki era (1655-) lived in Goudo, Mino domain (now Goudo-town, Anpachi-gun, Gifu pref.) The magnificently shaped blade holds ample thickness to keep an almost original volume since middle of 17th century. Forging technique and temper line shows a typical Mino-den school.

The attached Black lacquered 3-bu notches style scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae consists of :
(click HERE for entire koshirae, HERE for detail-1, HERE for detail-2)
  • Gold brocade black silk cord lozenge wrapped tsuka hilt
  • Fuchi/Kashira : Brass ground hammered surface
  • Menuki : Recorder design, iron ground
  • Tsuba : Iron ground polish surface signed as KUNIHIRO 国廣
  • Scabbard : 3-bu interval notches, black lacquered Iron Kojiri (scabbard end) and Koikuchu (entrance ring). Kozuka-hitsu slot (Kozuka/knife is missing)
Both blade and Koshirae remain almost original shapes, quite rare to come across such curio that remains an excellent condition for both blade and koshirae fitting with good old atmosphere.
Iron original Seppa collar, original copper ground silver foiled single layer habaki collar, Preserved in a new Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
Recent polish/Condition scale: mint - excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)