Period:

Momoyama to end of Edo period

Basic Shape:

The shinmaru gata shape is encountered regularly.

Hitsu-ana:

Both hitsu-ana are often shaped like kogai-hitsu as opposed to the standard kozuka-hitsu and kogai-hitsu configuration.

Design Characteristics:

A motif showing a person or thematic object with a natural landscape in the background is common. The bottom right section will contain the main design carved in takabori and/or detailed with nunome or inlay work. It is common to see some details in gold nunome as with all Shoami works.

Metal:

Tsuba have an iron ji, and kinko works are very rare. The iron ji can be encountered in several varieties. 1st type is a thick plate with a dark brown patina and strong variations in the surface, having a rough appearance. This type of ji is often highly tempered and will show abundant hard martensite crystals on the surface. 2nd type is a more polished ji with a chocolate brown patina. A 3rd type has a deep rich purple-black patina on a thick plate having a similar luster to the iron sukashi works from Genroku times.

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