{"product_id":"mumei-kinpun-mei-ten-hi-kanenaga-kinpun-mei-hon-a-with-kao","title":"Wakizashi : Mumei Kinpun-Mei ：Ten□hi Kanenaga \/ Kinpun-Mei：Hon-A with Kao","description":"\u003ch1 data-section-id=\"1xx38kt\" data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"28\"\u003e\n\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/52DgpsBGG1c?si=hDQsEqSrKp9jTv1f\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTegai Kanenaga Wakizashi\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"x46zy1\" data-start=\"29\" data-end=\"82\"\u003eMid-Muromachi Period (Kanshō Era, 1460–1466)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"189\"\u003eThis wakizashi is attributed to Tegai Kanenaga, a swordsmith of the Tegai school of the Yamato tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"513\"\u003eThe Tegai school was one of the principal traditions of Yamato Province, centered around the great Buddhist temples of Nara.\u003cbr data-start=\"315\" data-end=\"318\"\u003eYamato swords are especially respected for their disciplined workmanship, refined steel, and practical elegance developed in close association with warrior-monk culture and early battlefield use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"515\" data-end=\"729\"\u003eWorks of the Tegai school are known for their clear masame-hada, restrained suguha hamon, and dignified overall appearance rather than flamboyant activity.\u003cbr data-start=\"670\" data-end=\"673\"\u003eThese qualities are expressed beautifully in this blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"731\" data-end=\"1005\"\u003eThis piece was likely made during the Kanshō era of the mid-Muromachi period, around 1460 CE.\u003cbr data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"827\"\u003eThe Kanshō era falls immediately before the Ōnin War (1467–1477), the great conflict that would lead Japan into the age of widespread civil war later known as the Sengoku period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1007\" data-end=\"1167\"\u003eAs such, this blade belongs to the final years before that upheaval — a time when the classical traditions of the old schools still remained strongly preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1326\"\u003eAlthough the blade has been suriage (shortened), it retains an elegant curvature and a remarkably balanced feeling in the hand characteristic of this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1328\" data-end=\"1666\"\u003eThe tang bears a kinpun-mei attribution together with the kaō of the Hon’ami family.\u003cbr data-start=\"1412\" data-end=\"1415\"\u003eUnlike kinzōgan-mei, which is inlaid directly into the tang, kinpun-mei is created by writing characters in gold powder over lacquer. Historically, this was one of the methods used by the Hon’ami family to record important attributions and appraisals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1668\" data-end=\"1918\"\u003eBecause many Yamato blades were heavily used and repeatedly adjusted over centuries, examples surviving with original signatures are comparatively rare.\u003cbr data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"1823\"\u003eFor this reason, historical attributions such as this carry important documentary significance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1920\" data-end=\"2157\"\u003eThe blade itself displays very fine masame-hada, one of the defining characteristics of Yamato workmanship.\u003cbr data-start=\"2027\" data-end=\"2030\"\u003eThe suguha hamon is quiet and refined, creating an impression of restraint and sophistication rather than excessive decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2159\" data-end=\"2299\"\u003eThe boshi enters straight and returns in a compact komaru form.\u003cbr data-start=\"2222\" data-end=\"2225\"\u003eThe jigane is healthy and well preserved, and no major flaws are observed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2301\" data-end=\"2444\"\u003eIts current polish is also in very good condition, allowing the sword to be appreciated immediately without requiring further restoration work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2446\" data-end=\"2449\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"14g7s6l\" data-start=\"2451\" data-end=\"2460\"\u003eHabaki\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2462\" data-end=\"2509\"\u003eThe blade is fitted with a suaka copper habaki.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2511\" data-end=\"2838\"\u003eRather than being covered with gold or silver foil, it remains plain copper, allowing the natural color and patina of the metal to harmonize quietly with the blade itself.\u003cbr data-start=\"2682\" data-end=\"2685\"\u003eOlder Japanese swords were often mounted in this understated manner, and the simple character of this habaki suits the atmosphere of the sword very well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2840\" data-end=\"2912\"\u003eThe fit to the blade is precise and secure, showing careful workmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2914\" data-end=\"2917\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"12324b2\" data-start=\"2919\" data-end=\"2931\"\u003eShirasaya\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2933\" data-end=\"3042\"\u003eThis wakizashi is housed in a finely made shirasaya crafted from high-quality wood with tight straight grain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3044\" data-end=\"3320\"\u003eThe fit is stable and properly made, with no looseness.\u003cbr data-start=\"3099\" data-end=\"3102\"\u003eAs with traditionally made shirasaya, slight seasonal openings may occur due to the natural expansion and contraction of the wood. This is considered normal and correct, and the shirasaya should never be forced closed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3322\" data-end=\"3412\"\u003eThe overall quality of the shirasaya is excellent and suitable for long-term preservation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3414\" data-end=\"3417\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1tikm32\" data-start=\"3419\" data-end=\"3432\"\u003eImpression\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3434\" data-end=\"3692\"\u003eThis is not a flamboyant sword.\u003cbr data-start=\"3465\" data-end=\"3468\"\u003eIts appeal lies instead in the quiet sophistication associated with the Yamato tradition — refined masame-hada, controlled suguha, balanced curvature, and the dignified atmosphere developed through centuries of preservation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3694\" data-end=\"3850\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eA highly respectable Muromachi-period wakizashi with historical attribution, healthy condition, and strong appreciation value for collectors of Yamato work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Provenance Selection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46794536976540,"sku":null,"price":1000000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0731\/7979\/1516\/files\/IMG_5879.jpg?v=1777690930","url":"https:\/\/provenanceselection.com\/products\/mumei-kinpun-mei-ten-hi-kanenaga-kinpun-mei-hon-a-with-kao","provider":"Provenance Selection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}