Katana Kanenori

Exceptional katana signed Echizen Kuni Junin Kanenori. This swordsmith worked during the Tensho period (1573-1592). The blade has a 73 cm nagasa (fuller). The temper is Notare Gonome with a kissaki (hardening) between O-kissaki and Chu-kissaki. The hada (hollow end) is made of itame (a type of hardened wood). The blade has two fine fullers on each face. The koshirae (head guard), from the Edo period, features a fuchi kashira (handguard) in shakudo nanako (silver geese). The fuchi is signed. The iron tsuba (handguard) is rimmed with gold and decorated with herons among bamboo, inlaid with gold and silver. It is also signed. The silk braid on the handle is its original 19th-century braid; the purple color was reserved for high-ranking samurai. The blade is preserved in its shirasaya (hollow scabbard), and the hilt has a tsunagi (a type of iron guard).