NihontoWatchThis blade was signed by Bugei Jyu Kanekuni (武芸住兼国) in the 11th year of the Heisei era (1999) in Bugei, a town located in Gifu prefecture. He was born in the 14th year of the Taisho era (1925). He started training to become a swordsmith in the 14th year of the Showa era (1939) by enrolling in the school run by Ogawa Kanekuni (小川兼国). He signed Kunitada (国忠) as his first maker’s name. During 1932-1934, he forged blades in Chiba prefecture as a Rikugun Jyumei Tosho(陸軍受命刀匠), which was the title given by the Japanese military to skilled Japanese swordsmiths during Taisho-the early Showa period. To receive this title, a swordsmith forged two swords and submitted them to the governmental agency that produced weapons. After passing the particular and rigorous exam there, the swordsmith would be acknowledged as Rikugun Jyumei Tosho. We assumed he primarily forged swords for the Japanese military before and during World War Ⅱ. After the end of World War Ⅱ, Bugei Jyu Kanekuni’s career took a new turn. In 1972, he sought to expand his knowledge and skills by learning old sword-forging techniques from Kaneko Magoroku Kanemoto. This marked the beginning of his independent journey as a swordsmith, as he opened his workshop in Hachiman, a village in Bugei town in Gifu prefecture. Throughout his career, Bugei Jyu Kanekuni’s craftsmanship was widely recognized and celebrated. He was the recipient of numerous awards in the Japanese sword community, a testament to his superb skills and dedication. Today, he is remembered as one of the most distinguished modern Japanese swordsmiths in Gifu prefecture. In 2008, Gifu prefecture designated him as an intangible cultural asset. He was also acknowledged as a *Mukansa swordsmith after receiving another award in the Shinsaku Meito Ten in 2006. He devoted his late career to preserving the precious tradition of Japanese sword-forging and researching old methods to create beautiful Japanese swords. He died at the age of 87 in 2012. This blade was made when he was 74 years old. You can see fantastic craftsmanship from this blade. What is Mukansa swordsmith? It is one of the most honorable titles a modern swordsmith could receive. One with this title could submit his work to the Japanese sword exhibition held by NBTHK(Nihon Bijyutu Touken Hozon Kyokai) without being examined. In contrast, other sword makers must pass a rigorous test to participate in this event. This fact also suggests he was a great swordsmith in modern times. This exhibition is held by NBTHK once a year, and modern swordsmiths compete for their craftsmanship there. There have only been 39 Mukansa swordsmiths since the exhibition started in 1955. About Modern Swordsmith There are around 150-200 swordsmiths in Japan today. To legally produce Japanese swords, one needs to pass the national exam given by the Agency for Cultural Affairs(Bunka-Cho) and receive the license. Before taking the exam, one must finish his or her apprenticeship under a licensed master for more than five years. Those who practice Iaido(居合道) tend to use those modern swords, and there are modern Japanese sword collectors nationwide. Modern Japanese sword makers are researching old ways to forge swords and trying to recreate ancient-style swords. They are the ones who keep the tradition of Japanese history alive. Koshirae The theme of the entire sword mounting is dragon. Initially, the dragon is an imaginary creature found in ancient Chinese traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is regarded as a symbolic beast of auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, belly is Mizuchi (蛟, mythical animal in Japan which looks like a snake and have a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers, and ears are cows. It was thought that the dragon would reign at the top of all animals because of its odd-looking appearance. In ancient China, the dragon pattern was used for emperors’ clothing so that people strictly defined its shape or even the number of nails. On the other hand, the dragon pattern does not have detailed rules to represent classes in Japan. However, still, it maintains its meaning as the all-purpose auspicious pattern. Also, in Japan, there is a belief that worships dragon as a water god and is called Ryujin Shinkou (竜神信仰). Since rice cultivation flourished in this country, water is always an essential resource. Therefore, the dragon motif has been familiar to Japanese people since a long time ago. Saya *Please keep in mind that there is trace of the restoration on this Saya. Registration Number It is called Jyu Ho Token Rui Torokusho (銃砲刀剣類登録証).
Offered by Samurai Museum
This piece has sold
Get an email when a new Bugei-ju Kanekuni piece hits the market.
Gifu · around 1926-1989
2 pieces on the market now
Shōwa to the present: destruction and revival
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
Returns/exchanges limited to defects caused by shipping (except willful misconduct or gross negligence by the company); customers must contact within 72 hours of receiving the product.