* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Miyoshi Nagamichi
三善長道
Description
Master Swordsmith of Aizu: Miyoshi Nagamichi
Miyoshi Nagamichi was a master swordsmith of the shintō period who was active in the early Edo period in Aizu, Mutsu Province (present-day Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture). He was born in Kan'ei 10 (1633), and his common name was Miyoshi Tōshirō. In Manji 1 (1658) he received the title Mutsu Daijō, and from that point he began signing his blades 'Miyoshi Nagamichi.' He died in Jōkyō 2 (1685). He is a swordsmith representative of Aizu, known as 'Aizu Kotetsu' for his outstanding sharpness.
Evaluation as a saijō ō-wazamono
What established Nagamichi's reputation was his outstanding sharpness. In the Edo-period sharpness evaluations based on test cutting, Nagamichi's blades were ranked in the highest grade, saijō ō-wazamono. He is regarded as one of the most accomplished swordsmiths of the shintō period, a master who combined high artistic quality with performance as a weapon at a high level.
Characteristics of His Style
The jigane is finely forged with well-packed ko-itame, and shows a bright, clear surface. The hamon is centered on gunome-midare, with rich ashi and yō activity, and shows a sound workmanship with bright nioiguchi. The balanced form typical of early Edo shintō is combined with sturdiness that withstands actual combat, and this produces a strength befitting the sobriquet 'Aizu Kotetsu.' He also left excellent examples of wakizashi and tantō.
Distinction from Osaka Shintō
Nagamichi was a swordsmith of the northeast, based in the Aizu domain, and was not one of the swordsmiths of Osaka Shintō in Settsu Ōsaka, represented by Inoue Shinkai, Tsuda Sukehiro, and the first-generation Tadatsuna. (One view holds that he studied under Tsuda Sukehiro, but his style is said to be closer to that of Nagasone Kotetsu of Edo and the Hōjōji group.) His blades represent the shintō culture of Ōu.
TOUKENZA and Miyoshi Nagamichi
At TOUKENZA, Miyoshi Nagamichi is introduced as one of the most accomplished master swordsmiths of the shintō period, who earned the saijō ō-wazamono rating in Aizu, a place in the Tōhoku region. His swords, which combine beauty and practicality, demonstrate the culmination of sword culture nurtured by a regional domain. Together with the legend of sharpness likened to Kotetsu's, they have continued to win the reverence of sword enthusiasts up to the present day.
Famous Works
- Katana, signed Miyoshi Nagamichi, dated Kanbun 11 (Tokyo National Museum)