FIFTH GENERATION KINMICHI KATANA WITH MOUNTS AND PAPERS.

The first generation Kinmichi was the oldest son of Kanemichi, and moved with his father and three brothers to Kyoto, where he founded the Mishina school. He began working for the Imperial family circa 1594, when Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered 1,000 tachi from him for use at Sekigahara. He was given the title Nhihon-kaji-sosho (trans: Master Swordsmith of Japan), which was gave him influence at the court. He was also allowed to engraved his nakago with the Imperial Crysanthemum crest. The title, advisory position at the court, and ability to utilize the Chrysanthemum were hereditary, and his sons inherited the title up into the akumatsu period. This sword was made by the fifth generation, who received the honorary titles "Iga no Kami" and "Kaminari-yoke", with working dates from 1751-1764. This sword is accompanied by an NBTHK Hozon paper, attesting to the authenticity of the signature; the signature has been partially obscured by scale but what can be seen appears to read "Iga no Kami Fujiwara Kinmichi". The sword measures 2 shaku 1 sun 5 bu (approximately 65.1cm or 25 - 5/8") in the classic shinogi zukuri form with iori mune, jigane is a mixture of masame and itame, with chikei and muneyaki. The hamon is a low notare with a wide nioiguchi and long strands of nie, sunagashi, and inazuma. Maru boshi with a long kaeri, which becomes muneyaki on the ura. The nakago is ubu with a kengyo nakagojiri, indicating it is unaltered. Handachi mounts with saya decorated with crushed abalone and shakudo fittings decorated with katakiribori designs of florals. Tsuba in mokko gata form and katakiribori designs en suite, carving possibly refreshed, with golden hitsu-ana plugs. Fuchi and kashira en suite with saya fittings, with a dark tsua-ito wrap, menuki in the form of shi-shi dogs, and old replacement samegawa. Housed in a sword bag and transportation box. CONDITION: Very good, in polish that shows off features well, with some scattered marks from age. Some pockmarks about the machi. Mounts excellent with some very minor marks, habaki appears to be a modern replacement, tsuba carving appears refreshed. A good sword from a well respected sword-making family.

Name

Value

Accessories

Box

Blade Length

2 shaku 1 sun 5 bu

Overall Length

38"

Paperwork

NBTHK Hozon, Export Papers