Wakizashi signed Sagami-no-kami Minamoto Rai YOSHIMICHI kore-wo tsukuru
To order of Minamoto Yoshisato dated Summer in the 5th month 22nd day, Enpo 5 Konami
Shinto Middle of Edo period (Enkyo 5/1748) Yamashiro
Length of cutting edge 57.9cm,Curvature 1.5cm, Width of base 31.7mm, Width of Yokote 22.5mm, Thickness of base 8.5mm
Blade construction (kengyo) : Shinogi-zuruki, Iori-mune. Long, solid and heavy wakizashi. Wide on base, thick in Kasane leading to an extended middle Kissaki. The entire blade is massively heavy in hand, holding a heroic shape.
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is conspicuous Itame hada on Hiraji whereas Masame grain mark appears on Shinogi-ji surface. The entire surface is sparkling vivid with thick ji-nie - mirages appears so called YUBASHIRI activity (hard metal granules over the surface of the blade).
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon starts with Kyo-style straight Yakidashi which is rather coarse side Nie based then large Gunome like a gourd shape and flamboyant slanting clove outline where Nie glows more vivid and brighter where splashes partially into Hiraji that forms YUBASHIRI quench on Hiraji. Sparkling YUBASHIRI appears also on the entire Shinogi-ji surface. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area deeply and sparkling Nie accumulates on the gorges of Gunome where thick feet of ASHI and short lines of Nie SUNAGASHI works frequently. The entire temper is full of flamboyant impression to generate "HITATSURA" - whole area quenched scene.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Boshi forms "Mishina-style" quench line - a bit swelling straight outline regularly medium circle in front and the other side indicates Hakikake brushing indication with small circle turns back.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is UBU original. O-Sujikai(greatly slanting left) filemarks. Kengyo uneven V-shape heel in full. Back ridge is flat with O-Sujikai filemarks. One Mekugi-ana peg hole. The inscription appears on Hiraji of the reversed side, the owner's name "Minamoto YOSHISATO rei" 源義郷令 and smith name "Sagami-no-kami Minamoto Rai YOSHIMICHI kore-wo tsukuru" 相模守源来義道作之. The date of year is chiselled on Shinogi-ji, "dated Summer in the 5th month, 22nd day Enkyo 5th" (1748) 干時 延享五年夏五二十二日也. The other side shows the pseudonym of "Konami" 穀捺密.
During Bunroku era (1592-95), famed smith KANEMICHI 兼道 who named himself as the 9th generation Shizu Saburo KANEUJI, had moved up to Kyoto along with his four sons of the eldest Iganokami Kinmichi 伊賀守金道 who established a Mishina school 三品派, and the second son Rai-Kinmichi 来金道, third son Tanbanokami Yoshimichi 丹波守吉道 and fourth son Echunokami Masatoshi 越中守正俊. Oumi-no-kami Hisamichi 近江守久道 also joined to Mishina school to form the "5 major Mishina schools" 京五鍛冶 in Kyoto. All of them had been flourished throughout Edo period.
The subject smith YOSHIMICHI 義道 with Sagami-no-kami 相模守 title was a student of 2nd gen. Ouomi-no-kami HISAMICHI 近江守久道. He was born in Hyuga Province (now in Miyazaki pref.) in Kyushu island. His real name was Tomita Jin-uemon 冨田甚右衛門. It is said that he also lived and worked in Hiroshima, Aki province (now in Hiroshima pref.). There remains posthumous works with the date of year 1741 - 50.
As seem from this wakizashi, it's workmanship, especially forging pattern shows Itame hada that comes from Soshu school technique although his own home Mino school favour can be seen from the Masame straight forging marks along Shonogi-ji. The date of year "Summer in the 5th month 22nd day, Enpo 5 (1748)" and owner's name "Minamoto Yoshisato" are quite precious to add historical research material value. The quench scene of this wakizashi starts with Kyoto-style straight Yakidashi and followed the vogue of rather coarse side Nie based flamboyant large Gunome and quech overflows to Hiraji and Shinogi-ji to form Hitatsura view.
Set with double layers silver habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting, comes with NBTHK Hozon token.
Old polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
