KASHU KANEWAKA SHODAI

The Kanewaka line began in Mino in Bunmei (1469-1487) with the 1^st generation Mino Kanewaka who claimed to be a descendent of Shizu Saburo Kaneuji.  The Mino Kanewaka den continued for several generations.

In 1605 the 5^th generation Mino Kanewaka moved to Kaga province, where he founded the Kaga Kanewaka Den. It was at this time he became the Shodai Kaga Kanewaka and altered his mei to to include Kashu. He received the title Etchu no Kami around 1620 and died in 1628.

Shodai Kanewaka was one of the best and most influential smiths of Kaga Province. He was known as Kaga-Masamune.  His blades were so famous, so sought after and so expensive that Bushi of the day were known to have said they; had to sell their daughters to afford one.

Fujishiro rates his work for quality as JoJoSaku, which is second only to SaiJoSaku.

Yamada Asuemon Yoshichika’s, Kokin Kaji Bikosen rates his works as ryowazamono for their superior cutting ability.

This naginata is in excellent condition as well as excellent polish. This naginata has not been papered, however it does have a sayagaki by one of the foremost scholars of this field, Kanzan Sato. The sayagaki was done in 1976. Sayagaki by this level of scholar is considered every bit as good as “papers”.

Sayagaki reads:

Kashu Kanewaka (Kanewaka of Kaga)

Shodai (1^st generation)

Jidai Genna (period)

Jiha Kenzen (Ji and Hada healthy)

Gunome midare deki yoroshii (gunome midare finely done)

Hacho: Issaku gosun yonnbu ari kore (Nagasa: 1 shaku, 5 sun, 4 bu)

Showa goju ichi nennatsu kichijitsu (Auspicious day, summer 1976)

Kanzan Shirusu (written by Kanzan)

Price:  $6500 plus S/H

REDUCED: $5500 plus S/H

A great price with no need to sell your daughters!

If you are interested in owning this item, contact me via the website or directly at yakiba.com@gmail.com