Infos avaiable?

[CSM101]

Hi,

 

I have a new sword here and now I am looking for informations or photos from Seki ju Kanemichi born Kojima Ikuo, son of Kojima Tokijiro. Normally this sword goes as a iaito but the quality is very good. I know, that he won the Yushusho prize. But that is all that I have.

 

Thank you in advance

 

 

Uwe G.

[Hayabusa]

There were seven sub groups making up the so-called Sue-Seki school collectively known as the Seki Shishi Ryu and Kanemichi was from the one named Muroya. He considered himself to be the grandson of the 9th generation descendant from Shizu Saburo Kaneuji, the founder of Mino-den and pupil of Masamune. His early work, from around the Eiroku period is usually signed with the two character signature, as with this tanto. However, in Eiroku 12th year (1569) he was requested to make a tachi for the ruling Emperor, Ogimachi, a job that he successfully completed. As a reward for his efforts, Kanemichi was granted the use of the character “O” (also pronounced Dai) from the Emperor’s name and from this time he signed his name with the three characters; O-Kane-Michi. Later, when he was granted the title of Mutsu no Kami, he dropped the “Kane” character from his name and became known as Omichi, or more commonly Daido. This was a name that was to be used by several generations of students, with various titles, that followed.

 

In about Eiroku 12th year, he moved from Mino to Kyoto. At this time many of the Seki swordsmiths were moving to various parts of the country, providing the great influence of Mino-den on the new Shinto Tokuden style of swordmaking. His four sons, all of whom were accomplished swordsmiths, accompanied Kanemichi. These sons were known as the Mishina brothers as there was a village near Seki where many of the inhabitants had the surname “Mishina” and it is thought that this was where they originated. Together with Omi Kami Hisamichi (the pupil of Iga Kami Kinmichi) the brothers were to become known as the Kyoto Gokaji or five great swordsmiths of Kyoto. From Nihonto no Bi

[cabowen]

The op is asking about a WWII era sword (or later), not a koto or shinto.

[Hayabusa]

Yes realised after

Swordsmith Kanemichi (Seki, Gifu, previously Mino) with his original name Kojima Tokijiro小島時次郎, previously signing  Kanetoki 兼時. He was born in the 1902 (35th year of Showa era) and he studied at great swordsmiths his period like Kojima Katsumasa from surrounding of Zenjo Kanejisho, Kojima Katsumasu and then at Watanabe Kanegana.

He has rankin maegashira at tosho-banzuke, he was member of elite group of swordsmith working for troops Rikigun jumei tokoh, he won the special price of honour at 1941 in swordsmith exhibition. Kanemichi is considered as top-class master Sekito of Showa era, his son as a second´generation master is a swordsmith, too.

[cisco-san]

I think he mean this smith:

Kanemichi (兼道), Heisei (平成, 1989- ), Gifu – „Kanemichi“ (兼道), „Seki-jū Kojima Kanemichi kore o saku“ (関住小島兼道作之),

„Sekishū Kohima Kanemichi saku“ (関州小島兼道作), „Kojima Kanemichi kore o saku“ (小島兼道作之), civilian name „Kojima Kunio“

(小島郁夫), born May 15th 1953, son of Kojima Tokijirō Kanemichi, he first signed with „Kunio“ (郁夫)

[CSM101]

Yes, that he is!

 

Unfortunately I can´t find any further informations about him. Seems so, that most of his works are only for iaido. Maybe you have more informations.

 

And if this is in the wrong section maybe one of the mods can move it, please.

 

 

Uwe G.

[cisco-san]

Sorry, I also have no more information!