NihontoWatchThis is a katana by the master smith Izumi no Kami Kanesada (11th generation Kanesada), known for producing the beloved sword of Hijikata Toshizo, the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. In addition to bearing the same date of Keio 3 as the sword passed down in the Hijikata family, it appears to be a special work, featuring a masame finish similar to that of Sendai Kunikane, who was renowned for his cutting ability. Overall, the style of this work displays a magnificent, refined forging of strong masame-hada in a shitsujitsu-goken figure, conveying to the present day the full-spirited determination of the 11th generation Kanesada to survive through war.
Certificate reading — 銘 和泉守兼定 慶応三丁卯年八月日
NihontoWatchOffered by Hyozaemon
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As written by the shop
Machine translation from the shop's Japanese · may contain errors ·
Mino-den · Mutsu · around 1837-1903
2 pieces on the market now
Mino-den · Iwashiro
7 pieces on the market now
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Kanesada兼定 | 1818-1869 | 0 |
| Kanesada兼定 | 1624-1644 | 0 |
| Kanesada兼定 | 1624-1644 | 0 |
| Kanesada兼定 | 1655-1658 | 0 |
| Kanesada兼定 | 1661-1673 | 0 |
Meiji: survival after the edict
The Haitōrei edict of 1876 ended sword wearing and nearly ended the craft itself. Military demand and imperial patronage kept a remnant alive, and in 1906 Gassan Sadakazu and Miyamoto Kanenori were named Artists to the Imperial Household.
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteWithin one week of the item's arrival (cooling-off is available within Japan only). If the returned item's condition differs from the time of sale, or the item has been used, no refund can be given. For defects that differ from the purchase conditions, we accept the return and refund the payment. (A defect means something that impairs the item's proper use, such as a hagire (crack in the edge), a re-tempered blade (saiba) or a forgery; items described as having a hagire, a saiba or as a forgery are excluded.) For overseas customers, please consult us separately.