Mihara Kagehiro

Mihara Kagehiro was a sword maker who flourished during the Nanboku-chō period in Mihara, Bingo Province (near present-day Mihara, Hiroshima Prefecture), and is recognized as one of the master smiths of the Mihara school. The Mihara school developed uniquely from the late Kamakura through the Nanboku-chō period, drawing on Bitchu metallurgical techniques, and Kagehiro exemplified the school at its height. The jigane displays a simple construction with itamehada mixed with flowing patterns, showing the Mihara school's characteristic appearance with coarse jinie and rich jikage. The hamon is based on suguha with ko-midare elements, featuring coarse arani on the cutting edge with striking sunagashi and kinsuji throughout. Kagehiro is evaluated as a sword maker whose distinctive style unified the robust composition of the Nanboku-chō period with the character of the Bitchu region.