N18802(W1801)
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Sun-nobi-Tanto signed Ō-MICHI (DAIDŌ) saku with)Palm leaves Blue pearl of Inlay scabbard Chi'sa-katana Koshirae

Koto End Muromachi period (Genki era/circa 1570-72) Mino
Length of cutting edge 32.9cm Curvature 0.7cm Width of base 29.9mm Thickness of base 6.0mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsdu Hozon) certificate

with)Palm leaves Blue pearl of Inlay scabbard Chi'sa-katana Koshirae



Blade construction: Hira-zukuri, Iori-mune. Width of base is wide and Kasane is a bit on thicker side. Extend Tanto where upper Fukura area is swelling out. There is a bit on deeper side of middle pointed curvature and upper point curve as well. There is a pair of Koshi-hi grooves on both sides. The entire shape creates majestic manner of Azuchi-Momoyama period on end 16th century.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is refined Itame mixing with Mokume ware and streaming Masame wares where appears mostly along back Mune side. Hiraji surface is covered with sparkling Ji-nie that generates darkish Nie lines along wooden grain so called CHIKEI activity. Diffused reflection with a mottled effect of sparkling Nie glitter of whitish Utsuri appears on Hiraji .
Temper(Hamon): Temper starts with a small Gunome "Yakiodashi" at the Hamachi then wide undulating, large Gunome that combines with Box-like Gunome or slanting shape of Choji orTogari-ha. Boundary line of Nioi-kuchi is tight in general and a bit on soaked Nie of isolated Tobiyaki or Yubashiri accumulates along Hamon. The entire temper gives off the impression of unrestrained style as well as dignified manner.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of tip has Midarekomi wavy indication,small circle gently turns back deeply so called "Jizou-boshi" the profile of Jizou-stature.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. Higaki crossing file marks. Three peg holes. Double-bevelled (Kurijiri) heel. Back ridge of Nakago is flat.
The signature in front is chiselled in small and thin chisseled character that reads Ō-MICHI saku 大道作 or different pronunciation DAIDŌ saku.

Ō-MICHI 大道 (initial smith name KANEMICHI 兼道) has been 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 "HIGHEST" - Ō 大 from the Emperor and official district Mutsunokami　陸奥守 title by the Imperial Court. He had put a honor word of Ō 大 prefixed to his smith name in transition to be Ō-KANEMICHI 大兼道 or ŌｰMICHI 大道 during Genki era (1570-72) and then put an official title "Mutsunokami"　陸奥守 and named himself Mutsunokami ŌｰMICHI 陸奥守大道 on after Tensho 1 (1573). The posthumous works with the date of year as the inscription of Mutsunokami ŌｰMICHI 陸奥守大道 ranges from Tensho 1 - 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 wakizashi is full of Samurai majesty spirit that shows the noble dignity during Azuchi-Momoyama perio. Ō-MICHI 大道 worked for a major powerful clan of Oda Nobunaga 織田信長 who began rise to power. This Wakizashi reminds one of ancient pure Sōshu works from Nanbokucho period deserving its exellent taste of patina in 450 years, clear Yasurime crossing files marks as well as typical inscription signature its own 1570-72.

with)Palm leaves Blue pearl of Inlay scabbard Chi'sa-katana Koshirae
(click HERE for entire Koshirae in front and HERE for reversed side / HERE for each fitting)
Yamagane copper ground single layer Habaki collar
Good old polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference data:
Suzuki Takuo/Sugiura Yoshiyuki Muromachi-ki Mino Toko-no Kenkyu Ribun Shuppan 2006