A Beautiful Koto to Early Shinto Period Samurai Sword Katana Signed Kanetake. Probably Azuchi Momoyama Era Mino Tradition. With a Flock Of Cranes Openwork Tsuba

Signed Kanetake 兼 武 1500's to early 1600's
There is swordsmith named after him in Sekijuji, Noushu. The period of that smith is thought to around 1600.
Black tuska ito over gold dragon takebori menuki, a fuchi of gold shellfish on a nanako ground, and a carved buffalo horn kashira. Original black urushi lacquer saya, and a maru-gata tsuba of delightful quality, with openwork and relief decorations, depicting a takebori flock of cranes taking flight, with gold rims to the kogai ana and kozuka ana. The blade is superb for age showing a beautiful and very fine narrow suguha hamon. Just a few scratches at the kissaki {these can be polished}

In Japan, the crane, or tsuru, is a national treasure and is considered the bird of happiness. It is depicted in art, literature, and mythology as a symbol of good luck and longevity because it is said to live 1,000 years. An ancient Japanese legend promises that when you fold a thousand origami cranes, you will be granted a wish by the sacred crane.
Originally, a swordsmith named Kanetake lasted in Mino province (today’s Gifu prefecture) for generations since the late Muromachi period (the early-mid 16th century). Then, the late-gen Kanetake, active during the Azuchi Momoyama period (the late 16th century), is said to have moved to Inuyama in Owari province due to the war and founded the Inuyama school. Therefore, it is believed that the Inuyama school was influenced by the Mino-style tradition of sword forging. The swords forged by the late-gen Kanetake, active in the early Edo period, are said to be rare and have dynamic characteristics.
Mino Province is one of the most famous and historical sword-forging sites. There were so many schools forging blades during the Samurai period. It especially prospered during Sengoku Jidai (Warring State period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers.

Furthermore, many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area. Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO swordsmiths. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had a reputation for their practical design and sharpness.

The tradition of excellent sword forging skills had been passed throughout the Edo period. And, to look for better opportunities, many swordsmiths in Mino province moved to other parts of Japan, such as Owari province, located right next to Mino province. Those who moved to Owari from Mino are called Owari Seki.

As Owari province was active in martial arts during the early Edo period, there was much demand for swords among high-class Samurai. And there were quite a few renowned swordsmiths in Owari province, but many of them only forged blades for the Owari domain. Owari domain was known as Tokugawa Gosanke (徳川御三家) and had powerful political power, closely connected to Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo city.

Code: 25544