E15229(S834)
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katana signed KANEMITSU

Koto End Muromachi period (Eisho era/circa 1504-) Mino
Length of cutting edge 78.2mm curvature3.5cm Width of base 31.2mm Width of Yokote 18.4mm Thickness of base 7.5mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate
Reported in Mino Toko Meikan

Blade construction: Dignified Tachi of Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, well harmonized degree of tapering from base to point that leads to a bit on elongated Chu-kissaki. There is pronounced Koshi-zori on base and also upper pointed Sakizori is perceived. The blade remains it's original shape that stands firmly on base and Shinogi ridge is rather on higher side where Shinogi-ji is shaved off toward back ridge of Mune.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is rather pronounced Itame or conspicuous Masame in combination. A bit on coarse side Ji-nie granules attaches on Hiraji that emits diffused reflection of Nie with mottled effect or sparkling profuse Yubashiri generates "Seki-utsuri" like mirages. Darkish lines of Nie so called "CHIKEI" activity wells out from steel.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is Ko-Nie-deki, a bit on stronger side hard metal martensite crystals, flamboyant clove outline, Gunome and tall Togari-ha where head of outline varies is shape and height. Some of Gunome splashes into Hiraji surface so called Tobiyaki and Yubashiri also Muneyaki along the back ridge. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area with Nie feet of ASHI and floating matensite dots of YOU areas. The entire temper is full of rich Nie activities and is vividly bright.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms irregular Midarekomi with an indication of brushing Hakikake, medium circle turn back shortly like a side view of Jizou stone stature.
Tang(Nakago): The tang is in original "UBU". The heel is un-even U-shaped. One peg holes with V-shaped Takanoha filemarks where Hiraji forms checked Higaki. Back ridge of Nakago is a bit contoured with O-sujikai greatly stanting left filemarks.

Among 5 major schools of Japanese sword centers, Mino-den was late developed school that rised to power in Mino domain (now Gifu pref.)
According to a sword maker directory Nihonto meikan, KANE-MITSU 包光 (in different kanji of KANE 包) who belonged Tegai branch in Yamato school) moved to Seki town, Mino domain during Eiwa era (1375-78) and changed it's name to KANE-MITSU 兼光 in another kanji of KANE 兼. He has been said as the founder of the Seki-sword maker under the patronage of Shinto shrine Kasuga Jinja 春日神社.
According to Muromachi-ki Mino-Toko-no Kenkyu, the extant work of KANEMITSU 兼光 with the oldest date of year is a Tanto signed KANEMITSU In the 8th month, the 1st year of Ouei (1394) and had been active throughout Muromachi period in several generations.
The subject maker KANEMITSU 兼光 is given rough age from Bunmei to Eisho era (1469-1520) with an expert opinions as well as NBTHK certificate. This KANEMICHI 兼光, real name Seijiro 清次郎 a Buddhist name Ryokei 良敬, had moved from Seki to Tsushima town in Owari in his later age.

The subject work is full of Samurai majesty spirit during the Warning States of period when major powerful clans such as Oda or Toyotomi in Owari, Tokugawa in Mikawa, Imagawa in Suruga, Takeda in Kai and Hojo in Odawara began rise to power.
This katana is extra long which was supposed an usage for horse riding battle.
Deep in curve was designed for fast draw, High-Shinogi-zukuri durable construction was working well for cutting through armor or helmet, Itame forging ware of functional mixture with hard and soft steel was designed for durable construction and "Muneyaki" was designed for defending against hard hitting.
This prominent katana creates a majestic manner of heroic image by powerful Samurai to play for success and has been treasured in generations. Admire for it's invariable shape and the very good taste Nakago patina over the passage of 500 years.
This katana is an article that is carried/reported in the sword maker directory of Mino Toko MeikanDue to an old polish of decades ago, there are some minor scratches and slight stains.
Gold foiled double layers Habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-saya plain wood mounting.
Good old polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data :
Honma Junji/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975
Suzuki Takuo/Sugiura Yoshiyuki, Muromachi-ki Mino-Toko-no Kenkyu Ribun-shuppan, 2006
Sugiura Yoshiyuki Mino-to-ko Meikan, Ribun Shuppan, 2008