* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Genkō era (Genkō 2 = 1322)Dated Swords of the Late Kamakura Period (Genkō Inscriptions)
Genkō Era
元亨（げんこう）
Genkō was a nengō of the late Kamakura period. Two tachi inscribed with the Genkō 2 date (1322), both by Kagemitsu of Osafune in Bizen Province, are held by the Tokyo National Museum.
- Period
- Genkō era (Genkō 2 = 1322)
- Sword Classification
- Dated Swords of the Late Kamakura Period (Genkō Inscriptions)
Description
The Nengō "Genkō"
Genkō (元亨) was a nengō of the late Kamakura period. Genkō 2 corresponds to 1322.
Tachi Dated Genkō
Tachi bearing the Genkō date include the following.
- The blade known as Kōryū Kagemitsu (小竜景光), inscribed 「備前国長船住景光（小竜景光）／元亨二年五月日」, is held by the Tokyo National Museum. The body length is 73.6 cm. It was designated an Important Cultural Property on 18 February 1949 and a National Treasure on 22 November 1952.
- A tachi inscribed 「備州長船住景光／元亨二年□月日」, held by the Tokyo National Museum. Its length is 78.4 cm. It is an Important Cultural Property, designated on 6 June 1979. The month character cannot be read and is shown as □ in the inscription.
Both are by Kagemitsu of Osafune in Bizen Province. Kagemitsu is said to have been a son of Nagamitsu.
Characteristics of This Era
- Two tachi inscribed with the Genkō 2 date (1322), held by the Tokyo National Museum
- A tachi inscribed 「備前国長船住景光（小竜景光）／元亨二年五月日」
- A tachi inscribed 「備州長船住景光／元亨二年□月日」; the month character cannot be read
Notable Swordsmiths
Kagemitsu of Osafune, Bizen Province (said to be a son of Nagamitsu)