AS26206 Wakizashi:Teishitsu Gigeiin Sugawara Kanenori, Made at the Age of 88. August 2, 1917.(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS26206

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Teishitsu Gigeiin Sugawara Kanenori, Made at the Age of 88.
August 2, 1917.
Celebrating the Birth of Iino Kichisaburo.
A Protective Sword for Great Success in Life.
帝室技芸員菅原包則八十八作
大正六年八月二日
神護飯野吉三郎誕生
大出世護刀

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Sugawara Kanenori, an Imperial Household Artist.
Habaki: Single gold-foiled habaki.
Blade Length: 1 shaku 3 sun 2 bu, approximately 40.0 cm (15.75 in).
Curvature: 3 bu, approximately 0.91 cm (0.36 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1 (Ubu-nakago, original tang).
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.74 cm (1.08 in).
Width at Yokote: 1.97 cm (0.78 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.68 cm (0.27 in).
Sword Weight: 370 g.
Era: August 2, 1917.
Shape: A beautifully proportioned wakizashi with standard mihaba, noticeable curvature, and an elongated kissaki.
Jigane: Beautifully refined and exceptionally well-forged ko-itame hada, displaying fine-quality steel.
Hamon: Gunome-choji with abundant ashi activity.
The boshi displays a midare-komi pattern.

Features: This wakizashi was made by Sugawara Kanenori, an Imperial Household Artist, at the age of 88.

Kanenori was born in 1830 in Hoki Province, present-day Tottori Prefecture.
His original name was Miyamoto Shigahiko.
At the age of 22, he became an apprentice to Yokoyama Sukekane, a swordsmith of the Osafune school in Bizen Province, where he learned the art of sword forging.
He adopted the character “Kane” from his master’s name and began signing his works Kanenori.

In 1866, Kanenori forged a sword for Emperor Komei.
The following year, he received the honorary title of Noto no Kami.

Following the beginning of the Meiji period, restrictions on sword wearing and the decline in demand for swords greatly reduced his opportunities to forge blades.
He returned to Kurayoshi, where he endured financial hardship and supported himself by making agricultural tools and kitchen knives.

Later, he was given the opportunity to forge sacred treasures for Ise Grand Shrine at Yasukuni Shrine.
His workmanship received high praise from Emperor Meiji.

In recognition of his achievements, Kanenori was appointed a Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Household Artist) in April 1907, together with the first-generation Gassan Sadakazu.
He subsequently produced numerous swords, particularly tanto.
Kanenori passed away on October 24, 1926, at the age of 97.
Iino Kichisaburo (August 30, 1867 – February 3, 1944) was a religious leader born into a samurai family of the Iwamura Domain in Mino Province, present-day Gifu Prefecture.
He was a prominent figure in Japan’s new religious movements and was sometimes referred to as the “Japanese Rasputin.”
He founded a religious organization known as the Dai Nippon Seishindan.
Through his connections with Shimoda Utako, an educator and poet who also came from Gifu Prefecture, Iino developed influential relationships with political and business leaders as well as members of the Imperial Household.
Through his religious prayers and predictions, he came to exercise considerable influence.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: A round Nanban tsuba featuring an openwork dragon design decorated with gold iroe.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo fittings carved with dragon motifs and decorated with gold iroe.
Saya (Scabbard): A same (ray-skin) covered saya decorated with cloud motifs.
This is an unusual and distinctive scabbard.
Menuki: Carved with dragon motifs.
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako kozuka carved with a dragon design and decorated with gold iroe.
Wari-kogai (Split Kogai): Shakudo.

NBTHK Hozon Certificate
Aoi-Art estimation Paper
whole Oshigata
Please note: the price does not include the shipping fees.