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Lot Essay
Accompanied by a certificate of registration as a Juyo Token [Important Sword], no.5078, issued at 23rd Juyo shinsa on July 1st 1975 by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword]
The family of smiths signing Kagenaga are said to have descended from Yoshimasa of Awataguchi in Yamashiro (Kyoto). However the only known dated examples are from the Oei era, like this sword. The earlier generations' work is in the refined Yamashiro style, while from the Nanbokucho period onward they become more obviously uchigatana. The present blade has been exhibited severally in Japan, and is published prominently in a number of books, indicating the regard in which it has traditionally been held. The smith was in the past known as the 'Inaba ko-kaji' (the sword-smith of Inaba, or Tottori Prefecture). It is tempting to relate this title to that of the great Munechika of Kyoto during the Heian period, who was known as 'Sanjo no ko-kaji'.
The family of smiths signing Kagenaga are said to have descended from Yoshimasa of Awataguchi in Yamashiro (Kyoto). However the only known dated examples are from the Oei era, like this sword. The earlier generations' work is in the refined Yamashiro style, while from the Nanbokucho period onward they become more obviously uchigatana. The present blade has been exhibited severally in Japan, and is published prominently in a number of books, indicating the regard in which it has traditionally been held. The smith was in the past known as the 'Inaba ko-kaji' (the sword-smith of Inaba, or Tottori Prefecture). It is tempting to relate this title to that of the great Munechika of Kyoto during the Heian period, who was known as 'Sanjo no ko-kaji'.