Tanba-no-kami Yoshimichi

Tanba-no-kami Yoshimichi was a master smith active from the Keichō to Kan'ei eras, representative of the Mishina school of Kyō-shintō and known for outstanding skill within that school. The Mishina school traces its origin to Kanemichi (Daidō) of Seki in Mino, and its lines were established in Kyoto by his sons. Among them, Yoshimichi is especially renowned as the Kyoto-based smith who perfected a distinctive hamon called sudareba. Sudareba is an original hamon in which sunagashi appear to run vertically in a row within the blade, like a hanging blind (sudare). It is noted in the history of Japanese swords as Yoshimichi's invention. This technique was inherited by later Mishina smiths and became the foundation for the diverse hamon expressions of Kyō-shintō. The jigane shows fine ko-itame, tight with jinie, and a clear surface, and chikei may appear. The taihai, typical of the Keichō to Kan'ei period, is a majestic form with broad mihaba and thick kasane, and has dignity. His cutting ability, recorded among the ryō-wazamono in the Kaihō Kenshaku, and his standing as the originator of the unique sudareba expression make his importance in the history of Japanese swords extremely high.