Blade construction: Hira- zukuri,Iori-mune style Tanto. Wide in Mihaba, thick in Kasane holding fully swelling outFukura which is representatively common during end Edo period. There remainsstriking deep Hamachi of cutting edge to prove an almost original figure.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is super-fine Ko-Itame-hada. Steel shows slightly darkish-blue impression with fine Nie sparkling glitter that generates sparkling reflection of Ji-nie granules reflection on Hira-ji surface.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is very fine Ko-Nie hard metal granules base, starts with up-hill Yakidashi then modulated large-Gunome which is combioned with small-Gunome, Box-like shape and tassel-shape Choji-halinks together with undulating Notare. The entire Hamon on both sides are well matching. The interior of temper is full of misty Nioi where thick Nie lines of Kin-suji appears on base and thick Ashiof Nie emit toward cutting edge.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi is irregularly Midarekomi with Ni-ju-ha indication and creates a small circle then deeply turns back deeply connecting to isolatedtemper of Muneyaki down to Mune-machi end.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One peg hole.Katte-sagari (slanting left) filemarks. The signature in really good hand-chiselling,located upper right that starts with an official district title Ise-daijo 伊勢大掾 then smith name KANESHIGE-saku 兼重作. The other side is described asa collaboration work with his yourger brother to say that Kaga-koku Kanazawa-ju'ninFujiwara KANETORO(seal) 加賀國金澤住人藤原兼豊（花押）.
The subject majestic Tanto is the joint work of KANESHIGE 兼重 and his yonger brother KANETOYO 兼豊.
KANESHIGE 兼重 in Kaga domain (now in Ishikawa pref.) ranks with Seijiro KIYOMITSU 清次郎清光 as a star pionner during end of Edo period.
He was a first-born son of smith KANEHISA 兼久 of 8th generation (Kinoshita Jintaro 木下甚太郎), born in Bunka 12 (1815). After apprenticeship under his master KANEHISA 兼久, around 30 years old he independently gave his smith name KANESHIGE 兼重 then enjoyed Ise-daijo 伊勢大掾 tile granted by the Imperial Court on Ansei 6 (1859).
Perry Expedition in 1853 brought disturbing society the opening of Japanand aroused increasing demand of Katana in Samurai class. Bravely madewide in Mihaba, fully swelling Fukura features prominent configurationof the time - revolutionary movement. The entire blade is full of heroicimpression and solidly heavy on hand. Forging is minute Ko-Itame hada andHiraji surface is covered with Ji-nie of sparkling hard metal granuleswhere fine Nie dots of Chikei activity glitters appears on the steel.
Hamon starts with shallow Yakidashi on base then quite lively flamboyantboundary line and intensive isolated Muneyaki throughout Mune. A bit onstronger side Nie hard metal granules base, tight in boudary line of Nioi-kuchi,Gunome, Choji mixing with Box-like which lively transforms in shape andheight. The interior is deep in Nioi mist-like crystallae area where workswith thick Gunome-ashi.
The noticeable mount of Black Stone surface lacquered Aikuchi Koshirae consists of
(click HERE for entire Koshirae and HERE for enlarged images of each fitting)
•Fuchi/Kashira, Koikuchi, Kurikata, Ura-kawara, kaeri-Tsuno are made ofBuffaro horn(Kashira is gold 2-charactar makie "KI/SEI" to mean"Surprise/Fair" attack in strategy)
•Hilt (Tsuka) : Star-like Samegawa rayskin, black lacquered polished surfacewith decorative metal pegs
•Kozuka : Maple design, Iron grond, copper inlay, unsigned
Copper ground Gold foiled Habaki collar, Preserved in Shira-saya plain wood mouonting
Recent polish/Condition scale: mint - excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference data : Japanese Sword Preservation Society, Kaga Shinto Taikan,1973, Honma Kunzan, Ishi Masakkuni, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975
