Antique Nihonto Katana Attributed to Tegai NBTHK TOKUBETSU HOZON TOKEN Certificate

The Tekaki school was a group of swordsmiths affiliated with Todai-ji, residing in front of the west gate of Todai-ji, known as Tengaimon. They were called Tekaki because of their location. Among the five major schools of Yamato, the Tekaki school was known for being the largest, most prosperous, and most stable in terms of skill. The names Tekaimachi and Kanenagamachi still reflect this history.

The founder of the Tekaki school was Kanehiro, active around the Shoo period (1288) in the middle of the Kamakura period. Notable works include the famous "Kotegashiwa" (which was lost in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923), a national treasure in the Iwasaki family collection, and six other important cultural properties. These designated items are known for their short two-character signatures at the end of the tang.

Other representative swordsmiths of the Tekaki school include Kanehisa, Kanekiyo, Kanetomo, and Kanetoshi. It is said that one of the Ten Great Disciples of Masamune, Kaneuji (whose initial name was Kaneshige), also belonged to the Tekaki school. This school continued through the Nanbokucho period into the Muromachi period. Works from the Nanbokucho period are called "Tekaki," and those from the Oei period onward are called "Sue-Tekaki." The Tekaki school is characterized by strong nie (martensite crystals) and a clear jigane (steel surface) among the five major schools of Yamato.

This sword, though greatly shortened, still proudly boasts a blade length of over two shaku three sun (approximately 70 cm). The fine, well-forged itame (wood grain pattern) with flowing and straight grain features a faint utsuri (shadowy pattern). The blade has a bright, clear nioiguchi (temper line) in the suguha (straight) style, showing a short, charming hitatsura (scattered temper) slightly above the monouchi (cutting area) on the omote (front) side.

This sword has not yet undergone a Juyo Token (Important Sword) appraisal. We hope it will be promoted to such status by its new owner.

Bare weight: 659 grams.