Nihon Kaji-Soushou
Length of cutting edge 39.6cm Curvature 0.9cm Width of base 32.9mm Width of Yokote 23.0mm Thickness of base 7.0mm
Forging(Hada): Steel forging mark is fine and uniform Itame-hada and observe Masame-hada straight wares on Shinogi-ji surface. The Hiraji surface gives off sprinkled sand impression to cover with moderate Nie sparkling hard metal granules "Ji-nie" and darkish precise lines of Nie so called "CHIKEI" activity that wells out from steel.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is a bit on strong side Nie hard metal granules based, starts from straight "Kyoto-style Yakidashi" and then forms continuous boundary line of box-like shape and large Gunome where a bit on tight side sparkling hard metal granules "Nie" accumulates mostly on the gorges that grows vividly bright where slight lines of Nie "Sunagashi" perceived. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area with thick feet of ASHI.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi quenched straight then refined medium circle turns back in good manner.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is UBU original condition. Slanting left filemark and V-shape heel "kengyo". One mekugi-ana peg hole. Back ridge of Nakago is flat with greatly slanting left filemark. The engraved carving of 16 petals of KIKU chrysanthemum flower crest like windmills appears above mekugi-ana and clear inscription of signature is located below it on Shinogi-suji ridge, the official district granted from the Imperial Court "Iga-no-kami 伊賀守", name of clan "Fujiwara 藤原" and smith name "KIN'MICHI 金道". And the other side on the upper Shinogi-ji side "Nihon Kaji-Soushou 日本鍛冶惣匠" (a master of all Japan sword smiths).
The founder of Mishina-school, KINMICHI 金道 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]. They are Iganokami KINMICHI 伊賀守金道, Izuminokami KINMICHI 和泉守金道,Tanbanokami YOSHIMICHI 丹波守吉道 and Echunokami MASATOSHI 越中守正俊.
The subject Wakizashi was made by the 3rd generation of Iga-no-kami KINMICHI, whose real name is Mishina Kanbei 三品勘兵衛. He obtained Iga-no-kami title on the 6th month, Jyoko 1 (1684) and served on a master of all Japan sword smiths till Kyoho 16 (1731).
The subject wakizashi is identified the work in his early age before he changed his letter of inscription of "SOU" from 惣 to 宗 on Kyoho 6 (1721).
Gold foiled copper Habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
There appears slight whitish stains on the back ridge above habaki which will be entirely removed by partial polish.
An old good polish/Condition scale : excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
