Ordering number:AS24686

Katana in Shirasaya (18th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token)

Signature: Mumei (Kanemitsu)
無銘(兼光)

Sayagaki: Bizen Province Kanemitsu
Yatarobo
Blade length: 2 shaku 2 sun 3 bu
Bo-hi and kage-hi carved on both sides
Remains of a wooden Tokko
Price: 200 gold coins
Recorded in June of Meiji 25 (1892)
By Hon'ami　Choshoku, aged 67,
A distant descendant of the 9th generation of Koetsu of Rakuhoku Takagamine

*Yatarobo refers to Iwasaki Yataro, a prominent businessman of the Meiji period.

Chu-Koto: Saijo O-Wazamono: Saijo Saku
We divide swords into four ranks: Saijo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Saijo Saku among unsigned (Mumei) Kanemitsu works.
Habaki: Gold-plated double-layered with family crest engraving.
Some parts contain silver.Almost Pure gold, 38 grams.
Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 3 bu (67.58 cm / 26.61 in)
Curvature: 3 bu 2 rin (1.00 cm / 0.39 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.25 cm (1.28 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.61 cm (1.03 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.69 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Era: Nanbokucho period
Shape:A powerful and grand sword with a wide body, bo-hi carved on both sides, a thick kasane, and an extended kissaki.
Jigane:Well-forged ko-itame hada with fine grain, incorporating chikei and a visible utsuri effect.
Hamon:A nioi-based sakasa choji pattern appears.
The boshi returns in a small rounded shape.

Features: At first glance, this piece resembles the work of Kagemitsu, but inside the hamon, ha and chikei are actively visible, and the boshi forms a large gunome midare, distinguishing it significantly from Kagemitsu.
Kanemitsu, the son of Kagemitsu, was known as Magosaburo, and his works often exhibit elegant tachi shapes with a refined and dignified appearance.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Iwasaki Yataro was a ronin from a lower samurai background. He gained employment with the Kochi domain, worked in the Kaiseikan Nagasaki branch handling trade, and later transferred to the Osaka trading office in 1869.
Following the abolition of feudal domains, he took over domain business operations, founding Tsukumo Trading Company, which was later renamed Mitsubishi Trading Company and then Mitsubishi Mail Steamship Company.
Iwasaki Yataro was a pioneering businessman from the Tosa domain and the founder of Japan’s Mitsubishi conglomerate.
At the age of 34, he established the predecessor company of NYK Line near Tosa Inari Shrine in Nishi-ku, Osaka.
He, along with his younger brother Iwasaki Yanosuke, played a central role in the Iwasaki family’s leadership.
He passed away at 50, after which his brother Yanosuke succeeded him as the second head of the Mitsubishi conglomerate.
This unsigned Kanemitsu was owned by Iwasaki Yataro and is said to have been his cherished sword.
Hon’ami Choshoku was one of the most esteemed sword appraisers of the Meiji era, highly regarded for his trusted evaluations.

18th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:20,000,000JPY

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