B1086(S8918)
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Katana signed (KIKU crest) Iga-no-kami Fujiwara KIN'MICHI (2nd generation) with) Gold pearl of inlay Gold/Silver Taka-makie high relief TOMOE crests scabbardTachi-style Koshirae

Shinto Early of Edo period (Kan'ei era onwards / 1637 -) Yamashiro
Length of cutting edge 73.9cm Curvature 1.4cm Width of base 30.1mm Width of Yokote 20.4mm Thickness of base 6.5mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with) Gold pearl of inlay Gold/Silver Taka-makie high relief TOMOE crests scabbard Tachi-style Koshirae

Blade construction : Shinogi-zukuri,Iori-mune. Long katana with shallow Sori in curve that ends in a medium Chu-kissaki. It is referred to as Kanbun-shinto configuration that appears with Kanbun era 寛文(1661-73)(click HERE for higher resolution of entire blade)
Curving (Horimono) : Round end Bohi groove on both sides that ends at upper the Nakago
Forging (Hada) : Hada is moistened fine Itame-hada which is well kneaded and some flowing ware and Mokume burl indication is perceived here and there. Sparkling glitter so called Ji-Nie crystallized mist covers on surface and darkish Nie lines so called Chikei activity gushes out from steel.
Temper line (Hamon) : Hamon is fine Konie-based, in which interior is filled with Nioi-mist. Quenching boundary line is Gunome where shows somewhat of combined small Gunome to form box-like Hakoba, slanting or sharpened head Togariha and notch of an arrow Yahazuha.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is Machi-okuri cutting edge is shortened on about 45mm. Heel shape is Kurijiri double-bevelled unaltered original.Slanting left Suji-chigai file marks. Three Mekugi-ana peg holes(the 2nd and 3rd puches both are original holes). The inscription signature in front starts with an official district title Iga-no-kami 伊賀守, the name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 then smith name KINMICHI 金道.
Temper of tip (Boshi) : Temper of tip becomes calm below Yokote then slightly undulating Notare and small circle turns back.This geometry is reffered to as "Mishina-boshi".

The founder of Mishina-school 三品派, smith KANEMICHI 兼道 had moved up to Kyoto along with his four sons in Bunroku 2, (1593) from Seki in Mino-province. They were the famed sword smiths so called [Mishina-sword smiths] who are Iganokami KIN'MICHI 伊賀守金道, Izuminokami KINMICHI 和泉守金道,Tanbanokami YOSHIMICHI 丹波守吉道 and E'chunokami MASATOSHI 越中守正俊.
The first smith KIN'MICHI 金道, the first son of KANEMICHI 兼道 whose real name Mishina Kanbei 三品勘兵衛 was bestowed the greatest title Nihon Kaji Soushou 日本鍛冶宗匠 from Imperial court by Tokugawa Ieyasu's mediation to become the master of sword smithes and allowed to have 16 metals KIKU crest chiselled on Nakago.

The subject katana was made by the 2nd generation of Iga-no-kami KINMICHI 伊賀守藤原金道, real name Mishina Kanbei 三品勘兵衛. He obtained Iga-no-kami title in Kan'ei 14 (1637) to set his atelier in Nishi-no-touin dori/Takeya-machi dori in Kyoto. His extant works ranges from Kanei 14 afterwards untill early Enpo period (1637-70's).
His swords were very popular as a purveyor to the Imperial Household with the Kikumon chrysanthemum flower crest in Nakago to keep evil spirits away. He ranks Jo-saku (Superior Made) and honoured as Wazamono (Sharp cutting performance). Passed away in 21th day,the 10th month,Enpo 8(1680)
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This katana was shortened Machi-okuri when the incidental superb Tachi koshirae was made on the latter half of Edo peiod. Among similar works, this Katana shows excellent workmanship and would guess that this Katana was exclusively offered to Shinto shrine or presented to an honored Samurai class.

with)Gold pearl of inlay Gold/Silver Taka-makie high relief TOMOE crests scabbard Han-dachi-style Koshirae
(click HERE for front image, HERE for other side and HERE for each fitting)
  • All involved metal fittings (Kabutokane, Fuchi,Koikuchi, Kurikata, Kashiwaba, Ishizuki) : TOMOE crest design, Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, Takabori, Gold Iroe, Gold Koberi rim, unsigned
  • Menuki : Triple TOMOE crest design, Katabori carving, Gold Iroe
  • Tsuba : Aoi-Mokko shape, Iron ground Mokko burl surface, TOMOE crest design, Gold Inlay, Both Hitsu-ana punches, unsigned
  • Kozuka/Kougai(Futatokoro-mono) : TOMOE crest design, Shakukdo ground, Nanako-ji surface, Gold Koberi rim
  • Kogatana : signed Sagami-no-kami Fujiwara MASATSUNE 相模守藤原政常
  • Scabbard : Gold pearl of inlay Gold/Silver Taka-makie high relief TOMOE crests
  • Tsuka : Red lacquered rayskin cover, purple silk cord lozenge warp
Original Shakudo Habaki collar (Gold Bonji), preserved in a Shira-saya plain wood mounting
Good polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)