* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Kii Kanemitsu
城井兼光
Also known as: Unsigned Kanemitsu of the Kuroda Family
Description
Overview
Kii Kanemitsu is an unsigned Kanemitsu blade handed down in the Kuroda family. It is described as a heavily shortened (o-suriage) blade and is now held by the Fukuoka City Museum. The sources checked record no cultural property designation.
Origin of the Name
The name is said to come from Kuroda Nagamasa using this sword to kill Kii Shigefusa (Utsunomiya Shigefusa). Shigefusa is recorded as having been killed at a banquet at Nakatsu Castle in the fourth month of 1588 after Nagamasa invited him there. The article on Shigefusa does not mention this sword, so the link between the name and the event rests on the Kuroda family tradition.
Exhibition
A 2023 release from the Fukuoka City Museum on the 400th anniversary of Nagamasa's death lists "Katana, meibutsu Kii Kanemitsu" among items associated with Nagamasa, described as the famous sword with which Nagamasa killed Kii Shigefusa.
Today
It is held by the Fukuoka City Museum. Check the museum's information for display dates.
Legends & Stories
Said to be the blade with which Kuroda Nagamasa killed Kii Shigefusa at Nakatsu Castle, giving this unsigned Kanemitsu of the Kuroda family its name.