Kanenobu [兼信, 兼延, 兼言]is the name of both a Japanese swordsmith and his clan, a group that is famous for producing samurai swords, katana, wakizashi and, occasionally, spears in the style of the Mino School - Tokaido. The history of the family covers a period of more than 500 years. Japanese samurai in armour, 1860 photograph. ... Katana of the 16th of 17th Century, with its saya. ... Wakizashi style sword mounting, Edo period, 19th century A wakizashi (Japanese: 脇差) is a traditional Japanese sword with a shoto blade between 12 and 24 inches (between 30 and 60 cm, with an average of 50 cm), similar to but shorter than a katana but also quite longer than the kodachi. ...

According to Victor Harris, Keeper at the Department of Japanese Antiquities at the British Museum, the first-generation Kanenobu worked around the year 1655 in Mino province, an area that was famous for its swords. The main entrance to the British Museum The British Museum in London is the United Kingdoms - and one of the worlds - largest and most important museums of human history and culture. ... Events New Sweden (Delaware) attacked and captured by Dutch forces. ... The article incorporates text from OpenHistory. ...

All generations are recognized as leading swordsmiths in the koto and shinto eras, and some of his relatives are still active today. In 2004, one of Kanenobu's relatives participated in the NBTHK sword forging competition.

Little is known about the 1st and 2nd generation Kanenobu smiths. The 3rd generation of the smith signed Mutsu (no) Kami Fujiwara Kanenobu and Kambe Ju. One smith in the family was a direct pupil of Kaneuji, who founded the Shizu school.

At one of the most spectacular Japanese sword exhibitions recently held, the one held at the British Museum in London, England, one of the masterpieces displayed was a third-generation Kanenobu sword that was made sometime between 1688 and 1704. The main entrance to the British Museum The British Museum in London is the United Kingdoms - and one of the worlds - largest and most important museums of human history and culture. ... The clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, which contains Big Ben London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... // Events A high-powered conspiracy of notables, the Immortal Seven, invite William and Mary to depose James II of England. ... Events Building of the Students Monument in Aiud, Romania. ...

Kanenobu specialized in the sambon sugi style of hamon and, most frequently, used the togari gunome-midare style as shown below (this blade is approx. 500 years old)

ImageMetadata File history File links Kanenobu1. ...

Further reading

• Cutting Edge - Japanese Swords at the British Museum (exhibition) http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/cuttingedge/

• Kanenobu lineage - http://www.reninet.com/shoshin/tokai3.htm
• Search in ""The connoisseur's guide to Japanese swords, by Kokan Nagayamathe a very important book on Japanese swords http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/4770020716/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-3517786-2798308#reader-link

• Kanenobu oshigata http://www.traditionaloshigata.com/gallery/Kanenobu.jpg