A77642(S2061)

katana unsigned attributed to DAIDŌ

Koto end of Muromachi period (Tensho era / circa 1573-) Mino
Length of cutting edge 71.1cm Curvature 1.4cm Width of base 32.5mm Width of Yokote 23.2mm Thickness of ase 6.7mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Substantially shortened by on about 3-sun (9cm) to be unsigned. Mihaba is wide, there is a bit on deeper side curve near the base, less degree of tapering toward the tip of an extended large Kissaki. Thick in Kasane and a bit on higher side Shinogi-suji holding ample volume in Hiraniku. Massively heavy on hands with powerful impression created in Momoyama period. (click HERE for higher resolution)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is outstanding Itame hada with large Mokume indication whereas Masame hada pattern is perceived on Shinogi-ji. Hiraji-surface is thickly covered in soaked sparkling Ji-nie. Darkish Chikei in different carbon content gushes forth in surface.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is undulating NOTARE where boundary line is covered with a bit on more coarse side Nie. Some Niju-ha, Hotsure fray and isolated Tobiyaki appears. Boundary area is refreshingly silver white bright against bluish steel. In the interior of temper, there works with gentle short lines of Sunagashi and thick line of Kinsuji.
Boshi (tip): The temper of the tip is wide and strong in temper with an indication of irregular Ko-midare where the tip is frequently Hakikake short lines then small circle turns back.
Nakago(tang) : Substantially shortened Ō-suriage to be unsigned. The Nakago is a bit curved. Three peg retaining holes where original is filled by copper. Original ilemark on heel is greatly slanting left (Ō-sujikai) where as the upper Suriage area shows KIRI horizontal filemarks.
KANEMICHI 兼道 (later changed to DAIDŌ 大道), said as "the 9th generation of Shizu-saburo KANEUJI 志津三郎兼氏" has been renowned as the most superior maker who equals to KANETSUNE 兼常 and KANEFUSA 兼房 in Mino domain.
His posthumous works signed KANEMICHI 兼道 with the date of year ranges from Tenbun 16 (1547) to Eiroku 5 (1562).
From the reference of DAIDŌ-KI 大道記, he offered the dagger to Emperor Ōgimachi 正親町天皇 on Eiroku 12, Spring (1569) and was granted a word of "?" 大 (meining of "GREAT") from the Emperor and official district Mutsunokami 陸奥守 title by the Imperial Court.
He had put a honor word of "?" 大 prefixed to his smith name to be Ō-KANEMICHI 大兼道 only a couple of years during Genki era (1570-72) and then put an official title "Mutsunokami" 陸奥守 and changed his smith name as "DAIDŌ" 大道 on after Tensho 1 (1573). The posthumous works with the date of year as the inscription of Mutsunokami DAIDŌ 陸奥守大道 from Tensho 1 to 19 (1573-91).
The places of his studio, initially was in Seki town and later had moved to Gifu and he finally concluded to Kyoto as the founder of Mishina school during Bunroku era (1592-95) with his four sons Iganokami KINMICHI 伊賀守金道, Rai KINMICHI 来金道, Tanbanokami YOSHIMICHI 丹波守吉道 and Echunokami MASATOSHI 越中守正俊.
The subject Katana shows the noble dignity during Azuchi-Momoyama period which was designed as a powerful Katana where DAIDŌ looked up Soushu works, especially ardently admired Shizu-saburo KANEUJI's model from Nanbokucho period.
Owari style double layers Habaki copper (upper shell is Yamagane copper, lower is silver), preserved in a Shirasaya plain wood mounting.
excellent polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)