AS20483 Tanto:Kanemura 兼村(関）

Ordering number : AS20483
Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature :Kanemura 兼村(関）

Sayagaki: Written by Dr. Kanzan in summer 1965.
Kanemura was a father of Muramasa.
The masterpice Tanto.
Blade length is 9 Sun 6 Bu

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo Saku ranking.
The blade was polished. one side of gold fail detouched
Habaki :　Gold foiled double habaki.(one side of gold foiled is missing)
Blade length : 29.1 cm or 11.46 inches.
Sori :0.394cm or 0.155 inches.
Mekugi : 2
Width at the hamachi : 2.4cm or 0.945 inches.
Kasane : 0.5cm or 0.2 inches.
The weight of the sword 165 grams.
Era : Late Muromachi period.
Shape : The blade is rather wide and thick with deep Soriano engraved bo- hi on both sides of the blade.
Jigane :Itame hada masanagare hadatachi jigae blckish jigane and shirake utsuri appear.
Hamon :Nie deki gurme midare The blade crests on the front and back are aligned.

Special feature:kanemura has become a superlative swordsmith who surpasses his father as Muramasa’s father.
Kanemura has been active for several generations from Nanbokucyo era to Bunmei, Eisho, 　
and even Kanbun in the Edo period.
Therefore, this work is considered to be a swordsmith who was　active in Bunmei, and his child Muramasa has a sword making technique　by his own father Kanemura.

Koshirae :
Tsuba:Shakudo hamidashi tsuba with gold design.
Saya :black Jinro kisami saya.
Menuki:a blow and arrow engraved with gol color.
Menuki : are engraved with gold color.
Fuchikashira:On the shakudo nanako plate, bamboo leaves and shishi dog.

From Aoi Art:It is the work of Kanemura, the father of Muramasa, who was said to be a master of Tanto in a very rare Tanto.
It is not well known, but it is described in Dr Kanzan sensei’s Sayagaki. Koshirae, Inro kizami saya Fuchikashira, and Menuki are both good works and I would definitely recommend this Tanto.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.