Kinmichi is a big name ! This presented blade comes with a Tokubetsu Hozon NBTHK in Tokyo and was forged and signed by Igo no Kami Kinmichi yon-dai (4th generation). The hole of the signature is: Nippon Kaji Shosho Fujiwara Kinmichi and Kikumon Mishina Iga no Kami. To understand that signature we need to have a look in the family historie:
The first generation Kinmichi worked at the end of Koto times and at the beginning of Shinto times and have been one of the best known blacksmith that time. It was said that was chosen by Tokugawa Ieyasu to produce a 1000 good Tachi for the battle of Sekigahara. After fulfilling that task he was honored with the position of >Nippon Kaji Shosho<. This title was passed to all the other generations of Iga no Kami Kinmichi. To get an idea of that rank and meaning of Nippon Kaji Shosho I try to make a short note: This position gave him the right to grant other good smith a honorific title in the name of the emperor.
And they used the engraving of the Kikumon, the chrysanthemum.
The Mishina school was founded by Mutsu no Kami Omichi and Kinmichi shodai was his first son. They started the Mishina school in the Yamashiro province and located in Kyoto. They prospered over a lot of generations all the Edo times. They have been good smith with a high reputation and their Katana were known for there sharpness. They were “Wazamono” swords.
This blade was granted by the NBTHK in Tokyo to the 4.Generation of Kinmichi with a Tokubetsu Hozon. He was also called Mishina Kanbei and started his career in the beginning 1716. The title of “Iga no Kami” was granted in 1731. This Katana is from that period of time. Fujishiro is rating him as an over the average good smith.
With this good quality Katana comes a decent dark and a bit mystic Koshirae in a Handachi Mounts. It makes it a great set !
Inscription: Nippon Kaji Shosho Fujiwara Kinmichi und: Kikumon Mishina Iga no Kami
Länge/Nagasa: 2shaku, 2sun, 6bu und ein wenig; ca 69cm