Archived Nihonto.ca (Yuhindo.co): Tegai Kaneyoshi

Tegai Kaneyoshi

Yamato research is usually quite difficult as very little is known about individual smiths beyond the famous ones of the classical period. This tanto was made towards the end of the Muromachi period in the twilight of the Yamato den, when most of the work was being done by the Sue Tegai smiths.

Smiths of this school tend to have names beginning with the square style “kane” character. The second character of this smith’s name has alternate readings, so it could be read as Kanekore as well. There are papers for the swords both from the NTHK and the NBTHK, and there is an additional letter with the NBTHK paperwork written to the owner of the sword in 1962 by the NBTHK, supplying additional information that the blade was made around 1504, making it roughly 500 years old, and stating the maker as Kaneyoshi, so I am using this reading of the characters.

This blade was used in the NBTHK American Branch Yamato exhibit a couple of years back at one of the sword shows, and it shows a high degree of skill and a conservative style that went relatively unchanged since the Kamakura period. The hamon features some hotsure that is almost nijuba in the kissaki which is present on both sides in the same spot, and the boshi is yakitsume as is commonly found on Yamato swords.

The blade is in excellent condition, with one mekugiana and clearly visible filemarks on the nakago. It is in old polish as the blade remained in an old collection for about 40 years. It is enjoyable as-is, but would probably be quite beautiful with a new shiage. Signed Yamato work is relatively rare, so this would make a nice addition to a koto or Yamato school collection.