T255172(S5023)
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Katana Kiku crest signed Iga-no-kami Fujiwara KINMICHI with) Yatara Tame-nuri widely stripe Vermilion-lacquerd scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

Shinto early Edo period (Kan'ei 14th- / 1637 -) Yamashiro
Length of cutting edge 74.5cm Curvature 1.8cm Width of base 33.2mm Width of Yokote 22.5mm Thickness of base 6.6mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with) Yatara Tame-nuri widely stripe Vermilion-lacquerd scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate for Tsuba



Sugata (Configuration): Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. The blade is of extended length with a broad Mihaba, displaying a moderate taper from base to point and a well-harmonized curvature. ([Enlarged blade photograph])
Jihada (Forging Pattern): The Hada is a somewhat prominent Itame-hada, flowing stream indication along qurinching line toward the cutting edge. The Hira-ji is abundantly covered with sparkling Ji-nie, while the Shinogi-ji exhibits a conspicuous Masame grain.
Hamon (Temper Pattern): A long, straight Yakidashi begins at the base. The Nioiguchi is relatively tight, developing into a gently undulating Notare pattern incorporating Gunome, Togari-ba, Hako-ba, Yahazu-ba and related involved elements. The interior of the Hamon is filled with dense Nioi, enriched with Ashi, floating Yō and traces of Sunagashi.
Bōshi (Point Temper): Slightly undulating, tapering to a pointed tip, and returning firmly along the Mune, forming the characteristic so-called "Mishina-bōshi".
Nakago (Tang): Ubu (unaltered) with a single Mekugi-ana. The Yasurime are slanting left "katte-sagari". The Nakago-jiri is in the V-shape "kKn-gyo" style with a flat Mune back side. Above the Mekugi-ana on the omote is engraved the Imperial sixteen-petaled chrysanthemum crest, while beneath the Mekugi-ana along the Shinogi-suji appears the seven-character signature 伊賀守藤原金道 Iga-no-Kami Fujiwara KINMICHI.

The 三品派 Mishina lineage traces its origin to 兼道 Kanemichi, the ninth-generation descendant of Shizu Saburō Kaneuji of Mino, who had exclusively served as the retainer swordsmith to 武田信玄 Takeda Shingen.
In Bunroku 2 (1592), 兼道 Kanemichi moved to Kyoto together with his four sons, establishing the Sanpin school. His sons—伊賀守金道 Iga-no-Kami Kinmichi, 和泉守金道 Izumi-no-Kami Kinmichi, 丹波守吉道 Tanba-no-Kami Yoshimichi and 越中守正俊 Etchū-no-Kami Masatoshi—together with 近江守久通 Ōmi-no-Kami Hisamichi, became celebrated as the Kyō Go-Kaji ("Five Great Kyoto Swordsmiths").

The first-generation 伊賀守金道 Iga-no-Kami Kinmichi, whose personal name was 勘兵衛 Kanbei, received the title 伊賀守 Iga-no-Kami on the 19th day of the 2nd month of Bunroku 3 (1594). As head of the Mishina family, he became one of the foremost master smiths of Kyoto. During the Battle of Sekigahara in Keichō 5 (1600), he earned distinction by supplying one thousand swords to Tokugawa Ieyasu, for which he was appointed chief among the Kyoto swordsmiths. In his later years, the Imperial Court bestowed upon him the title Nihon-Kaji-Sōshō ("Chief Master Swordsmith of Japan") and granted him the rare privilege of engraving the Imperial chrysanthemum crest upon his blades. Under his leadership, the Mishina school flourished with an influence equal to—or exceeding—that of both the Umetada Myōju and Horikawa Kunihiro schools.

This katana is an especially refined work forged by the second-generation 伊賀守金道 Iga-no-Kami Kinmichi in response to a special commission. With a cutting edge measuring 2-shaku 4-sun 5-bu 5-rin (approximately 74.5 cm), the blade is notably long, possessing a broad mihaba and substantial kasane that create an imposing and weighty presence in hand. Its graceful curvature harmonizes with an elongated kissaki, giving the sword a bold and majestic appearance. The hamon begins with the characteristic long Kyoto-style yakidashi and develops into a notare pattern incorporating Gunome, Hako-ba, Togari-ba, Yahazu-ba, and combined Chōji-midare. This composition clearly reflects the stylistic influence of the celebrated works of 兼定 Kanesada.

The second-generation 金道 KINMICHI was the eldest son of the first master. Succeeding to the family name 三品勘兵衛 Mishina Kanbei, he was granted the title 伊賀守 Iga-no-Kami in Kan'ei 14 (1637). From that time onward he added the name of clan 藤原 Fujiwara to his signature and engraved the Imperial sixteen-petaled chrysanthemum crest on his tangs. He passed away on the 21st day of the 12th month of Enpō 8 (1680).

The accompanying Uchigatana koshirae was most likely the everyday mounting of a high-ranking samurai. Its elegant "Yatara-maki urushi" lacquered scabbard is complemented by fuchi-kashira and tsuba decorated with paulownia motifs, producing a dignified ensemble that reflects the refined aesthetic sensibilities of its original owner.

Accompanying Uchigatana Koshirae:
Widely stripe Vermilion-lacquerd Yatara Tame-nuri scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae
(Overall view: [Front] / [Reverse]) ([Enlarged fittings photographs])
Gold-foiled Koshi-yujo style Yasuri signle layer Habaki. Accompanied by a plain wooden storage scabbard Shirasaya.

Note: Although the name 金道 is conventionally pronounced "Kinmichi", this reading was likely adopted to distinguish these later generations from the founder of the Mishina school 兼道 "Kanemichi". Historically, "Kanemichi" is probably the more accurate pronunciation for the smith name of 金道.
The same title and signature were subsequently inherited by several generations of 金道 "Kinmichi" swordsmiths throughout Edo-period.

Reference: Honma Kunzan & Ishii Masakuni, Nihontō Meikan , Yūzankaku, 1975