Katana - Japan - Early Edo period

JAPANESE SHINTŌ KATANA BY INABA NO KAMI FUJIWARA KANETOKI | NBTHK HOZON | RARE IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY KAI GUNTŌ WITH SHARKSKIN SAYA

OVERVIEW

An exceptional Japanese sword combining two remarkable chapters of Japanese history: a signed seventeenth century Shintō katana by Inaba no Kami Fujiwara Kanetoki and an impressive Imperial Japanese Navy Kai Guntō koshirae featuring a fully samegawa covered saya, gilt naval fittings and a surviving naval tassel.

The blade is signed:

因幡守藤原金辰

Inaba no Kami Fujiwara Kanetoki

Forged during the Edo period, around the Enpō era (1673–1681), this traditionally made katana represents the craftsmanship of the Mino swordmaking tradition.

The blade is accompanied by NBTHK Hozon Tōken certification, providing important independent Japanese authentication.

What makes this sword particularly desirable is the combination of a historic, signed Shintō blade with an elaborate and beautifully preserved Imperial Japanese Navy mounting.

A fascinating collector's piece representing almost three centuries of Japanese sword history.

THE SWORDSMITH

Inaba no Kami Fujiwara Kanetoki 金辰 was a Shintō period swordsmith associated with the Tokuin school of the Mino tradition.

Mino was one of Japan's most important historical swordmaking centres, particularly renowned for the swordsmiths associated with the Seki tradition.

Surviving works by Kanetoki are relatively uncommon, with full length katana being particularly interesting to collectors of the Shintō period.

The present example has a substantial nagasa of 68.1 cm and retains the smith's signature despite having undergone shortening of the tang during its long history.

The nakago features two mekugi ana.

THE BLADE

The katana displays an elegant and substantial Shintō sugata, combining a powerful profile with the refined proportions associated with Japanese swords of the Edo period.

The blade measures 68.1 cm in cutting edge length, with a motohaba of 3.1 cm and a substantial motokasane of 7 mm.

Its attractive hamon displays an undulating pattern with visible variation along the cutting edge, creating a lively contrast against the polished surface of the blade.

The kissaki is well proportioned and the tempering continues into the bōshi.

The blade presents a strong and healthy appearance, with a polish that allows its traditional workmanship to be appreciated.

An impressive signed Shintō katana in its own right, made even more interesting by its later naval history.

MEASUREMENTS

Nagasa: 68.1 cm

Sori: 1.2 cm

Motohaba: 3.1 cm

Motokasane: 7 mm

Sakihaba: 2.1 cm

Sakikasane: 5 mm

Mekugi ana: 2

Nakago: Suriage, signature preserved

Swordsmith: Inaba no Kami Fujiwara Kanetoki

Period: Edo period, Shintō

Approximate era: Enpō, circa 1673–1681

Province: Mino

Certification: NBTHK Hozon Tōken

RARE IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY KAI GUNTŌ KOSHIRAE

The exceptional naval koshirae is one of the most attractive features of this sword.

The historic Kanetoki blade was later mounted in the distinctive Kai Guntō style associated with officers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Unlike standard military swords, this example features an elaborate saya completely covered in samegawa, commonly referred to by collectors as sharkskin.

These textured naval scabbards are considerably less frequently encountered than conventional lacquered examples and are particularly appreciated by collectors of Japanese military swords.

The dark, richly textured surface of the saya contrasts beautifully with the gilt naval fittings, creating an impressive and unmistakably Japanese naval appearance.

The sword also retains its naval tassel, an important surviving accessory that enhances the completeness and historical character of the ensemble.

The koshirae presents in remarkably attractive overall condition, particularly considering its age and the vulnerability of traditional samegawa coverings.

This is an elaborate and visually striking naval mounting, far removed from an ordinary military sword.

FROM THE SAMURAI TRADITION TO THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY

The historical journey of this sword is particularly fascinating.

Originally forged during the seventeenth century, the blade belongs to the classical tradition of Japanese swordmaking.

It survived the Edo period, the end of the samurai era and Japan's transformation into a modern military power.

During the twentieth century, the blade was mounted in the naval style associated with the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Older Japanese blades were sometimes preserved and remounted for military use, allowing traditionally forged swords to continue their service centuries after their creation.

This Kanetoki represents that remarkable connection between Japan's classical swordmaking heritage and its modern military history.

The combination of an older signed blade and elaborate naval mountings makes the sword particularly interesting to collectors of both traditional Nihontō and Japanese militaria.

NBTHK HOZON TŌKEN CERTIFICATION

The blade is accompanied by an NBTHK Hozon Tōken certificate issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword.

The certificate identifies the blade as:

因幡守藤原金辰

Inaba no Kami Fujiwara Kanetoki

The documented cutting edge length is approximately 68.1 cm, corresponding to 2 shaku 2 sun 5 bu.

NBTHK certification is an important element for collectors, providing independent Japanese authentication of the blade and recognition of its historical and artistic significance.

COLLECTOR'S OPPORTUNITY

This is far more than an ordinary Japanese military sword.

It combines a signed Shintō katana by Inaba no Kami Fujiwara Kanetoki, an attractive traditionally forged blade with NBTHK Hozon certification, and an elaborate Imperial Japanese Navy Kai Guntō koshirae.

The rare samegawa covered naval saya, gilt fittings and surviving tassel give the ensemble an outstanding visual presence.

For the Nihontō collector, the sword offers an interesting signed seventeenth century Mino blade.

For the Japanese militaria collector, it offers a particularly desirable variation of the Imperial Japanese Navy Kai Guntō.

And for collectors who appreciate historical Japanese craftsmanship, it represents the remarkable continuation of the samurai sword tradition into the twentieth century.

A highly collectible and impressive Japanese sword, combining traditional craftsmanship, historical significance and an exceptionally attractive naval presentation.