A Sandai Kanewaka ‘Shirôemon’ Katana (賀州住兼若造)

The Kanewaka family held close ties with the Maeda Daimyô family in Kaga province, as the castle town of Kanazawa grew to immense prominence and wealth during the Edo period. Top samurai held great admiration for swords from this lineage, and first generation Kanewaka was so highly esteemed that he was referred to as Kaga Masamune – in tribute to one of Japan’s most celebrated swordsmiths. Traditional Japanese gold leaf production and numerous high-quality crafts made Kaga famous throughout the nation.

This exceptional katana was crafted by third generation Kanewaka, born Tsujimura Shirô’emon, oldest son of the second generation. He died in the fifth month of the eighth year of Hôei era (May 1711), and was rated jô-saku – the mark of a superior swordsmith – by Fujishiro. The brilliant and iconic Kanewaka family hako-midare (square-shaped hamon) with plentiful kinsuji hataraki can be thoroughly enjoyed on this blade, and it has been certified by both NBTHK and NTHK-NPO at their highest levels. Recently polished, this sword lifts the spirits in a very big way.

The sword is accompanied by a fully matching Edo period koshirae attributed to the Kumagai school of Higo province – an elegant kuro kawari-nuri uchigatana-koshirae lacquered in black with a unique texture, crafted during the Late Edo period (1780-1867). The matching fittings depict kiri (paulownia) entwined within an arabesque design, and carry their own NTHK-NPO Kanteisho certificates. The characteristic Kaga-style copper habakiwith its deeply grooved criss-cross pattern remains faithfully in place, entirely appropriate for a smith who lived and worked in Kaga province.