A Yondai Kanetomo Katana (奥州会津住兼友)

The Kanetomo (兼友) lineage was a successful school founded in the Genroku era (circa 1688) that continued faithfully to the end of the Edo period. The first generation studied under the 5th generation Ōmi no Daijō Kanesada of the Aizu Kanesada line, establishing a tradition of refined craftsmanship rooted firmly in the Aizu smithing tradition of Iwashiro province, now western Fukushima.

This strong and vibrant katana is the work of the fourth generation Kanetomo, considered one of the finest smiths of the school. Forged during the Bunsei era, circa 1818-1830, the blade carries a confident personality that sets it apart. The gunome midare hamon is clear and consistent, filled with good hataraki – look for the islands of tobiyaki (hardened spots) near the tip, and the pronounced mune-yaki tempering along the spine of the blade, a regional characteristic of Aizu work. The steel is worked into a fine ko-itame hada, giving the jihada a tight, refined texture throughout.

The koshirae is a genuine highlight. The Higo School fuchi-kashira bears silver arrowhead designs inlaid on polished iron – martial and precise in their imagery. The tsuba is a chrysanthemum-shaped guard carrying the auspicious Matsu Ume Sakura design: pine for longevity, plum for perseverance, and cherry blossom for the beauty of transience. Gold crawling water dragons form the menuki, and the saya is lacquered in an ishime (stone) finish with a copper cloud-form kojiri. The whole ensemble is mounted in the blue-cord style of the late Edo period. Two vintage NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho certificates dating from October 1963 were issued for both the sword and the koshirae – judging standards at the NBTHK during that era were demanding, with only three levels of achievement available. A further four NTHK-NPO Kanteisho certificates cover the blade, tsuba, fuchi-kashira, and koshirae, providing the new owner with a comprehensive picture of the piece’s authenticity and quality.