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Hamon : Ko-nie deki suguha. There is kuchigai-ba and some fine kinsuji. The nioi guchi is vibrant and bright.
Boshi : Mishina style with a medium return.
Kitae : Mokume mixed with itame. There is ji-nie and the jigane pattern is very clear. Sumigane can be seen on both sides. This presents like a different carbon content steel being mixed in the hada.
About this sword : A rare Mishina school tanto by the thrid generation Iga no Kami Kinmichi. The sandai (3rd) Iga no Kami Kinmichi was known as Kanbei and active around Hoei (circa 1704-1711). He was a descendant of one of the 5 original founders of the Mishina school, shodai Iga no Kami Kinmichi. Before the battle of Sekigahara, the shodai Kinmichi made arrangements to have one thousand tachi made for Tokugawa Ieyasu's war preparation. After Ieyasu won the war, he rewarded Kinmichi with the title of "Nihon Kaji Sosho". The title means, "Master of Japanese Swordsmiths". It also gave Kinmichi the authority to register swordsmiths and give them titles. The shodai died in 1629, but his family retained this privilege for generations.
The sandai is ranked at 3 million yen in the Tokotaikan and Chu Jo Saku by Fujishiro. Also, he is ranked at the Wazamono level for the cutting ability of his swords. This smith received the "Iga (no) Kami" title at age 30, on 6/28/1684. As with the the other generations, his mei included the statement of "Nihon Kanji Sosho". In his early work, this inscription was exactly as the previous generations. However, in his later works, the character "Mune" 宗 was used in place of "So" 惣 in "Nihon Kaji Sosho". This tanto is a later and mature work. It also features the Kiku-mon that this line of smiths is famous for carving on their nakago. Accompanied by a Tokubetsu Hozon paper from the NBTHK that sates "Sandai".
This zaimei and polished Mishina tanto presents a wonderful opportunity. As mentioned above, it comes with a Tokubetsu Hozon paper from the NBTHK, a solid slilver habaki, shira-saya and a storage bag. Please also enjoy the article "Kyo Go Kaji & Mishina School" in conjunction with studying of this blade.
$4250
SALE $3250
