This is a stunning work by the Shodai Omi no Kami Hisamichi. He was one of the 5 original founders of the Mishina school. He is ranked at 4.5 million yen in the Tokotaikan and Jo Saku by Fujishiro. Hisamichi was most active around 1665-1703. He worked in Kyoto and was ranked at the Ryo-wazamono level for the excellent cutting ability of his swords. He was born in 1626 and became a student of Kyoto nidai Iga (no) Kami Kinmichi. He was given the Mishina last name and Hisamichi mei by his teacher. He often used the kiku or eda kiku mon with his mei. He died in 1711 at the age of 85. His forte' hamon style was gunome midare with hako (box-like) patterns like this example.

This blade was submitted for NTHK shinsa in 1980. This was a different environment that what we are used to today. The shinsa team under Yoshikawa Kentaro was very strict. If a blade was awarded any points above 70, people took special note and 75 points was not often seen. This Hisamichi was awarded Shu Saku I. This is shown by the red Shu Saku stamp on the paper and on the outside of the envelope. It is also noted on the work sheet. The range to achieve Shu Saku I is 75-79 points. This is a top-tier example of Hisamichi’s work.

The polish of this blade is high quality. The polish is in perfect condition and the geometry is crisp. The nagashi (polsiher's mei) is highly skilled. The kesho polish is perfectly done - following the nioi-guchi closely and not overly bright. This has a fine sayagata (manji design) habaki by Brian Tchernega.

Please also enjoy the article "Kyo Go Kaji & Mishina School" in conjunction with studying of this blade.

A rare Shu Saku level sword by an important smith, in perfect polish, no kizu, zaimei and ubu.

$10,000

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