750年の時を越えて
その昔古刀時代の頃、大和国（やまとのくに：現在の奈良県）では、武装する僧兵のために作刀する刀工集団が存在していました。千手院派（せんじゅいんは）・手掻派（てがいは）・保昌派（ほうしょうは）・当麻派（たいまは）・尻懸派（しっかけは）の大和五派（やまとごは）です。
大和五派の中で一番歴史が長く一番広く活躍したのが、私どもの源流である手掻派です。手掻派の開祖「包永（かねなが）」は鎌倉時代末期に活躍した名工で、持ち前の才能によって数多くの素晴らしい太刀を鍛えています。包永一派の制作した太刀は他の４派と比較的しても数多く残っており、現在では国宝や重要文化財、重要美術品などに認定されています。
手掻包永の教えは脈々と受け継がれ、美濃多芸郡志津の里へ移り住み正宗十哲のひとりとなった著名な刀工「志津三郎兼氏」も生み出しています。安土・桃山時代には同地大和国で『文殊鍛冶（もんじゅかじ）』を成立させました。この名前の由来になったのが初代包永の孫・四郎左衛門です。文殊菩薩を信仰し、祈願を込めて作刀にあたると文殊の化身が向槌に現れてみごとな名刀を鍛えあげたので、後に寺から文殊の称を許されて代々文殊四郎を名乗っていたことから、文殊鍛冶と呼ばれています。文殊鍛冶は和州堺や伏見で堺文殊や伏見文殊としても広がりました。また、江戸時代には徳川家康に招かれて駿府城下で作刀し、その後紀州藩のお抱え刀工となった新刀の巨匠「南紀重国」も、文殊鍛冶としてその後十一代にわたり幕府のために作刀にあたっています。
鎌倉時代の名工包永から受け継がれた技は様々な形でその功績を残し、750年の時を越えて現代の刃物の一流ブランド「菊一文珠四郎包永（きくいち もんじゅしろう かねなが）」に受け継がれました。
名匠の技と細やかな心遣いを、鮮やかな切れ味とともに皆様にお届けいたします。
大和五派の中で一番歴史が長く一番広く活躍したのが、私どもの源流である手掻派です。手掻派の開祖「包永（かねなが）」は鎌倉時代末期に活躍した名工で、持ち前の才能によって数多くの素晴らしい太刀を鍛えています。包永一派の制作した太刀は他の４派と比較的しても数多く残っており、現在では国宝や重要文化財、重要美術品などに認定されています。
手掻包永の教えは脈々と受け継がれ、美濃多芸郡志津の里へ移り住み正宗十哲のひとりとなった著名な刀工「志津三郎兼氏」も生み出しています。安土・桃山時代には同地大和国で『文殊鍛冶（もんじゅかじ）』を成立させました。この名前の由来になったのが初代包永の孫・四郎左衛門です。文殊菩薩を信仰し、祈願を込めて作刀にあたると文殊の化身が向槌に現れてみごとな名刀を鍛えあげたので、後に寺から文殊の称を許されて代々文殊四郎を名乗っていたことから、文殊鍛冶と呼ばれています。文殊鍛冶は和州堺や伏見で堺文殊や伏見文殊としても広がりました。また、江戸時代には徳川家康に招かれて駿府城下で作刀し、その後紀州藩のお抱え刀工となった新刀の巨匠「南紀重国」も、文殊鍛冶としてその後十一代にわたり幕府のために作刀にあたっています。
鎌倉時代の名工包永から受け継がれた技は様々な形でその功績を残し、750年の時を越えて現代の刃物の一流ブランド「菊一文珠四郎包永（きくいち もんじゅしろう かねなが）」に受け継がれました。
名匠の技と細やかな心遣いを、鮮やかな切れ味とともに皆様にお届けいたします。
Across 750 years of time
Japan’s Kamakura period (1185-1333) saw not only the rise of the Samurai class, but also of the sword smiths who elevated the art of sword making to new heights. At the time, five schools were competing to forge weapons for Nara’s famous warrior monks. One particular maker, Kanenaga of the Tegai school, was renowned for his superior skills as a sword maker and made the Tegai school the leading sword makers in all of Japan. It is from this master craftsman that Kikuichi Monjushiro Kanenaga, Inc. was born.
Skilled trades in Japan, such as sword making, are historically passed down from one generation to the next. In this way tradesman can insure the success and survival of the family business. Kanenaga eventually passed his skills and knowledge to his son, who then passed them to his son, and so on. It is through Kanenaga’s grandson, Shiro-zaemon, that we come to an interesting part of our family’s story.
Young Shiro was known for his devotion to the god of wisdom, Monju Bodhisattva, and could often be found deep in prayer while forging. It is said his devotion was so sincere and praying so fervent that Monju himself appeared before the young sword maker and instructed him in creating a blade unlike any seen before. Shiro’s new style of smithing eventually spread to other regions of Japan and came to be known simply as “Monju”. To this day you can find Shiro’s divine inspiration in our workshops and in each of our finely crafted blades.
Kanenaga’s legacy lives on in other ways, too. From his lineage six swords have been designated as “Important Cultural Property”, while a further nine are listed as “Important Art Objects”. His namesake sword, crafted by the legendary Kanenaga himself, is designated as one of Japan’s national treasures. We at Kikuichi Monjushiro Kanenaga are honored to carry on his legacy of excellence, passed down through the ages, to bring you the world’s finest brand of modern cutlery. It is our hope these 750 years of family tradition will continue for many generations to come.
Skilled trades in Japan, such as sword making, are historically passed down from one generation to the next. In this way tradesman can insure the success and survival of the family business. Kanenaga eventually passed his skills and knowledge to his son, who then passed them to his son, and so on. It is through Kanenaga’s grandson, Shiro-zaemon, that we come to an interesting part of our family’s story.
Young Shiro was known for his devotion to the god of wisdom, Monju Bodhisattva, and could often be found deep in prayer while forging. It is said his devotion was so sincere and praying so fervent that Monju himself appeared before the young sword maker and instructed him in creating a blade unlike any seen before. Shiro’s new style of smithing eventually spread to other regions of Japan and came to be known simply as “Monju”. To this day you can find Shiro’s divine inspiration in our workshops and in each of our finely crafted blades.
Kanenaga’s legacy lives on in other ways, too. From his lineage six swords have been designated as “Important Cultural Property”, while a further nine are listed as “Important Art Objects”. His namesake sword, crafted by the legendary Kanenaga himself, is designated as one of Japan’s national treasures. We at Kikuichi Monjushiro Kanenaga are honored to carry on his legacy of excellence, passed down through the ages, to bring you the world’s finest brand of modern cutlery. It is our hope these 750 years of family tradition will continue for many generations to come.
