A shinto katana | Attributed to Kanemoto and with kinzogan [gold inlay] inscription | Edo period, 17th century

Property from an Important Private American Collection

A shinto katana

Attributed to Kanemoto and with kinzogan [gold inlay] inscription 

Edo period, 17^th century

Sugata [configuration]: shinogi-zukuri, chu-kissaki, shallow torii-zori

Kitae [forging pattern]: Dense ko itame-hada with some utsuri

Hamon [tempering pattern]: Pointed gunome with some sanbonsugi in niedeki

Boshi [tip]: Midarekomi, yakisage

Nakago [tang]: one mekugi-ana, mumei, with kinzogan inscription Kanemoto

Habaki [collar]: Copper-gilt, double clad

In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard]

Koshirae [mount]: of later date, the dense nashiji and black lacquer ground with silver fittings and kuyo mon [Nine Luminaries crest], the fuchi-kashira with peonies, the nanban tsuba edged in silver with impressed rope design

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 69.4 cm., 27⅜ in.

Sori [curvature]: 1.7 cm., ½ in.

Saki-haba [width at the yokote]: 2.4 cm., 1 in.

Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 3.2 cm., 1¼ in. 

The blade accompanied by a certificate of registration as Hozon Token [Sword Worthy of Preservation], no. 3028902 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Reiwa 3 (2021). 

The koshirae accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Kicho Kodogu [Sword Mount Especially Worthy of Preservation], no. 316 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Showa 43 (1968).