AS25267 Katana: Iga no Kami Fujiwara Kanemichi(26th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token)

Katana: In Shirasaya (26th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token)

Signature: Iga no Kami Fujiwara Kanemichi 伊賀守藤原金道

Saya Inscription:
Iga no Kami Kanemichi Listed in Nihonto Taikan
It bears a five-character signature and is regarded as a representative example of his style.
Blade length: 2 shaku 4 sun 8.5 bu (approximately 75.3 cm)
Written by Kanzan on an auspicious day in early autumn in 1945.

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Saijyo Saku among the works of Iga no Kami Fujiwara Kanemichi.

Habaki: seemd to be solid gold double habaki (52 grams)
Blade Length: 75.3 cm (29.65 in)
Curvature: 1.8 cm (0.71 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.12 cm (1.23 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.36 cm (0.93 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.61 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 880 grams

Era: Momoyama Period, the late 16th century
Shape: wide and stout blade with slightly deep curvature and long kissaki.
Jigane: Itame-hada with Jinie and partial areas of flowing or intense grain pattern. Chikei works well.
Hamon: Nie base Notare and Gunome with Ashi, Yo, Yubashiri, Tobiyaki and Sunagashi. Boshi is notare on the Omote side and Midare on the Urasaide with hakikake.

Features:
The 1st-generation Iga no Kami Kinmichi was the son of Kanemichi (later known as Daidō). In 1559, he moved from Mino to Kyoto together with his father and his brothers — Rai Kinmichi, Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi, and Etchū no Kami Masatoshi. He began his activity around the Tenshō era and was granted the title “Iga no Kami” in 1594.
Before receiving the official title, his works exhibited typical late-Seki’s works with tight-nioikuchi hamon.
After receiving the official title, his style became more Shizu-like, featuring stronger nie, with midareba incorporating kinsuji and sunagashi, and he began tempering the distinctive　Mishina style Boshi　characteristic of his school.
This blade exhibits complex activity in both jigane and hamon, and stands as a valuable example of Kinmichi’s refined craftsmanship after receiving the title.

From Aoi-Art:
This blade is published in Nihontō Taikan – Shintō-hen I, pages 86–87, and in Tōken Bijutsu, issue no. 771.
It is rare for a shintō to be awarded Tokubetsu Juyō status, but this work is of a level that truly deserves such distinction.

26th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper with whole oshigata