Description
ITEM DESCRIPTION:
Comes with kimono or cotton bag. Comes with certificate of supein Nihonto. Comes with original prefecture certificate.
TOROKUSHO TRANSLATION
Registration Number: Yamagata No. 27703
Blade Type: Katana (刀)
Blade Length (Nagasa): 70.4 cm
Curvature (Sori): 2.0 cm
Mekugi-ana (Peg Holes): 4 (two open, two sealed)
Registration Date: March 8, 1969 (Shōwa 44)
Original Owner: Mr. Kikuchi (菊地氏)
Mounting (Koshirae):
Saya (Scabbard): Piece of art craftmanship. Reddish-brown lacquered with a textured ishime-ji finish. The kojiri is adorned with a detailed metal shrimp in high relief, in dark patina with gold inlays—a traditional symbol of longevity and good fortune in Japanese culture.
Kurigata: Glossy black with a two-tone sageo (white and purple), carefully tied in traditional fashion.
Tsuba: Iron mokkō-gata style tsuba with a fishing hook and rope design in raised relief, complemented by gold inlay. The reverse side repeats the motif with refined minimalism.
Fuchi/Kashira: Made of shakudō, both pieces are decorated with wave and hook motifs, finely engraved with elegant gold accents.
Menuki: Copper dragons, symbolizing power and protection, placed beneath the black tsuka-ito.
Tsuka: White samegawa (ray skin) wrapped in black cotton tsuka-ito in hineri-maki style.
Blade (Nagasa):
Length: 70.4 cm
Curvature: 2.0 cm
Signature (Mei): 兼氏 (Kaneuji)
Hamon: Notare-midare (irregular wave), active with well-distributed nie and visible ashi and yo activity along the edge.
Hada: Itame mixed with mokume, clearly visible, with a flowing texture indicative of traditional craftsmanship.
Kissaki: Chu-kissaki with well-forged boshi, no structural flaws noted.
Nakago: Four mekugi-ana (two of which are sealed, possibly with silver). The signature is clearly engraved on the omote side.
About the Smith: Kaneuji (兼氏)
The name Kaneuji has been used by several generations of swordsmiths from the Mino tradition and other schools, dating back to the Nanbokuchō period (14th century). The first and most famous Kaneuji was a direct disciple of the legendary Masamune. The signature suggests a smith working within that lineage or influence, possibly from the mid to late Muromachi period.
The blade itself exhibits several traits consistent with older craftsmanship—such as the visible hada, dynamic hamon, and multiple peg holes indicating historical remounting—suggesting it may be an antique blade of significant age and history.
CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS
This signed katana by Kaneuji presents a rare harmony between visual elegance and symbolic narrative. The koshirae follows a striking marine theme: shrimp, fishhooks, ropes, and dragons—all rich in cultural meaning, alluding to protection, strength, and the bounty of the sea.
The blade is well-forged, the hada is lively and clear, and the hamon reveals active tempering. The presence of sealed mekugi-ana and patina on the nakago reinforces the sense of age and history. A blade worthy of a seasoned collector, it combines visual impact, fine craftsmanship, and symbolic depth.
TECHNICAL SHEET
Item Description
Blade Type Katana
Signature 兼氏 (Kaneuji)
Nagasa Length 70.4 cm
Sori Curvature 2.0 cm
Hamon Notare-midare
Hada Itame with mokume
Mounting Complete koshirae
Saya Brown with high-relief shrimp motif (kojiri)
Tsuba Iron with fishing hook and rope motif, gold inlay
Fuchi/Kashira Shakudō with wave and hook designs, gold details
Menuki Copper dragons
Tsuka Black tsuka-ito over white samegawa
Mekugi-ana 4 (2 open, 2 sealed with metal)
Certificate Torokusho Yamagata No. 27703
Includes the original Japanese registration certificate and increasing its value as a collectible and historical artifact.
Blade is in good condition due to aging just superficial scratchings as normal. Not hagire and not fatal damage, of course. This is a japanese weapon so have a real historical value. This is a weapon with centuries, not machine crafted so can be minor movements of saya, tsuka, tsuba, etc. Because of dilatation, humidity, etc. and little damages propers of his age like small rust, scratches, etc.
