Auspicious day in the 6 th month, the Tiger year, the 9 th calendar sign
Length of cutting edge 73.4cm Curvature 1.7cm Width of base 32.4mm Width of Yokote 23.4mm Thickness of base 6.7mm
Forging(Hada): Forging is fine Itame mixing with flowing indication along quenching line and Mune side. Hiraji surface is covered in sparkling Ji-nie glitter that generates darkish Nie lines grain so called CHIKEI activity.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is fine Ko-Nie hard metal granules base, small-Gunome, Togari-ha and Choji-shape outline where entire temper varies in shape and height. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area deeply with frequent ASHI activities. The entire temper gives off bright and vivid impression.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi forms calm straight line above Yokote with Notare of undulating indication and small circle gently turns back.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is an original UBU. One peg hole of Mekugi-ana. Ō-sujikai (greatly slanting left) filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat and U-shape in full of Kurijiri heel shape . The signature in front is located on the Shinogi-ji side - Seven character that starts from the place of work Hishu-Yatsushiro-ju 肥州八代住 and the name of smith KANESHIGE 兼重. The other side is chiselled the date of year Auspicious day in the 6 th month, the Tiger year, the 9 th calendar sign (1982) 壬戌六月吉日.
Smith Kimura KANESHIGE 木村兼重 in Yatsushiro city, Kumamoto prefecture, had been studying under the famed smith Kurihara Akihide 栗原昭秀 since Showa 17 th (1942) to rise in fame as an "Ō-wazamono" Above Supreme Sharp cutting performance.
He has set up his own studio Kimura Nihonto Tanrensho 木村日本刀鍛練所 and his traditional performance art technique was handed down to his sons of 3 brothers - 1 st son KANENIDE 兼嗣, 2 nd son KANETERU 兼照 and the 3 rd son KANEHIRO 兼裕 whose are called themselves Akamatsu-taro 赤松太郎.
This katana was made when he was matured and more accomplished in his later age in 1982. Flamboyant Hamon is full of vigor in highly harmonious manner of Bizen-den tradition. Among similar works this katana is his masterpiece.
Gold foiled silver layer Habaki collar, Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
Recent polish/Condition scale: mint (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
