Antique Nihonto - Katana in Shirasaya with Tachi Koshirae, Nanbokucho Period (650+ years old) - Unsigned, NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Attributed to Tegai Kanetoshi

Nagasa: 65.7cm
Sori: 2.1cm
Motohaba: 2.8cm
Sakihaba: 1.6cm
Motokasane: 7.2cm
Sakikasane: 4.5cm
Blade Weight: 560g

This katana was forged during the Nanbokucho Period by Kanetoshi of the Tegai school. It is currently mounted with Edo-period tachi fittings, with a possibly Meiji-Era saya.

The blade features a Kijimomo "Pheasant Leg" nakago.

Tegai is one of the most prestigious schools, part of the Yamato (Nara-area) tradition.  Its forges were located at the front gate of Todaiji temple, in front of the gate called Tegai Gate (輾磑門). The school name Tegai originally came from the sound of Tengai Gate.

There were five prestigious schools, including Tegai school, during the Kamakura-Nanbokucho period in Yamato province. They are called Yamato Goha(大和五派); Senjyuin(千手院), Shikkake (尻懸), Taima(当麻), Hosho(保昌) and Tegai(手掻) school. They served politically powerful monks and temples in Nara, such as Todaiji temples. They were initially forging swords for military monks who became powerful due to the government’s policy back then.

 Monks needed many weapons as there were many political rivalries between influential temples. They required strong weapons like swords to protect themselves. During this time, Tegai school or other Yamato sword schools met the requests from monks. They also forged blades for Samurai during their heyday. It is often the case that those who belonged to Yamato Goha didn’t inscribe their signatures.