with)Gold wrinkles Seaweed lacquered scabbard Handachi-style Koshirae
Length of cutting edge 72.2cm Curvature 1.6cm Width of base 31.6mm Thickness of base 7.0mm Width of Yokote 23.3cm
Horimono(carving) : Chiselled half-way Bo-hi grooves on both sides.
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is Itame-hada (wooden grain) and Mokume (burl marks) mixing in. Hiraji is covered in deep Ji-nie that generates Chikei hard metal granules reflection effect over the surface. The entire steel shows darkish impression so called Echizen-steel.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon forms generally large gunome, mixing in with small gunomes partially, that varies in height and shape. The interior of temper activates with thick Nie-feet (ASHI) toward the cutting edge and slight Sunagashi (darkish Nie-blushing lines) across the feet. The entire temper is vividly bright and clear.
Boshi (tip): The temper of the tip is straight indication, blushing up (hakikake) indication then small circle turns back.
Nakago(tang) : Shortened SURIAGE about 55mm which holds an original clear file-mark SUJIKA slanting left and horizontal KIRI on SURIAGE area. Two mekugi-ana retaining holes. The signature in Hakiomite is clearly chiselled starting with the work of place Echizen-koku ju 越前国住 and the smith name KANETANE 兼種. Nice taste of patina and remains clear marks of original chisel.
The first smith KANETANE 兼種 had came from Seki-Mino province to Echizen (now in Fukui pref.) along with their family lineage such as KANENORI 兼法 to accept the invitation by a feudal lord ASAKURA late 16th century, lived in Ichijodani. Passed away the 14th year of Kanei (1637), was 68 years old.
The subject Katana is heavy on hands, massive and long katana in very good condition for the age of 400 years old. To review into the fine selected steel, elaborately forging and prominent technique of temper, this is one of his superb workmanship swords ever seen, which holds a close resembles to the work of Yasutsugu in the period and same province. Awarded a prize of Yoki-wazamono (good cutting performance).
with)Gold wrinkles Seaweed lacquered scabbard Handachi-style Koshirae
(click HERE for entire Koshirae in front and HERE for reversed side / HERE for each fitting)
- All fittings of Fuchi/Kashira, Kashiwaba, Ishizuki) : Stone surface, Oborogin silver alloy, unsigned (Kashira has a crack on the head due to impact)
- Menuki : Utsubo quiver design, Shakudo ground, katabori carving, Gold Iroe
- Tsuba : AOI shape, Shiho-Inome openwork, Iron ground, unsigned
- Tsuka : White rayskin, Unohana color, Hosoito logenze wrap
Original gold plated copper habaki collar, set in a Shira Saya plain wood mounting
