* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Wakebe Shizu
分部志津
Also known as: Wakebe Mitsuyoshi's blade / Kii Tokugawa heirloom
Description
An uchigatana by Kaneuji, who moved from Yamato to Mino
The Wakebe Shizu is an uchigatana by Kaneuji, known as Shizu Saburō Kaneuji, a smith originally from Yamato province who settled in the Shizu district of Mino. He is said to have studied under Masamune of Sagami, and his work is known for its flowing itame steel and gunome-midare temper line, blending the Sōshū tradition into the Mino school. It measures 70.6 cm with a curvature of 1.8 cm.
From the Wakebe house to the Kii Tokugawa
The blade takes its name from Wakebe Mitsuyoshi, first lord of Ueno domain in Ise province (present-day Tsu, Mie Prefecture), its first known owner. Mitsuyoshi accompanied Tokugawa Ieyasu on the Aizu campaign that preceded Sekigahara and was rewarded with an increase in his holdings; it is thought that he presented this blade to Ieyasu in gratitude. Ieyasu had it fitted with a new mounting featuring a white-rayskin grip and ox-motif menuki, and later passed it to Tokugawa Yorinobu, founder of the Kii Tokugawa house, in whose family it was handed down thereafter.
Designation and present whereabouts
The blade is designated an Important Cultural Property and after passing into private hands following the war, was purchased by the Japanese government in 2019 and is now owned by the state (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Legends & Stories
A gift of gratitude for an increase in domain
Wakebe Mitsuyoshi received an increase in his holdings for his service on Ieyasu's Aizu campaign, and is thought to have presented this blade in gratitude. The episode shows that celebrated blades served not only as rewards for valor but as gifts expressing a retainer's thanks to his lord. That Ieyasu had new mountings made for it himself and later passed it to Yorinobu, founder of the Kii Tokugawa house, shows the special regard in which this blade was held within the Tokugawa family.
Related Famous Swords
藤島友重の太刀
Important Cultural Property and Important Sword (Multiple Designations)Fujishima Tomoshige's Tachi
Fujishima Tomoshige
短刀 銘備州長船住長重
National TreasureTanto Signed Bishū Osafune-jū Nagashige
Nagashige (Bizen Osafune, Chōgi school)
山城信国
Important Cultural Property (several works)Yamashiro Nobukuni
Nobukuni
太刀 銘 元重
Important Cultural PropertyTachi Signed Motoshige
Motoshige