213 Kiyokage



	Nio Kiyokage 1390-1429 The Nio School traces its origins to the province of Suo. Located on the San'Yodo Road bordered by the provinces of Nagato, Iwami and Aki. These provinces on the San'Yodo Road also connect to several other provinces such as Bingo, Bizen and Harima. The Nio School was established in the Kamakura period around 1200-1250 a.d. and the smiths are referred to as Ko-Nio or old Nio School smiths. Kiyozane was the founder of the Ko-Nio school followed by several generations into the Sue-Nio period 1260-1429. He was followed by Kiyonaga and Kiyokage 1390-1429 in the Oei period. The shape of the Nio swords are with deep curvature and high shinogi and thick kasane. The kitai is mokume grain fine ji-nie and utsuri appearance. The hamon is in sugu-ha/ko-midare nie deki with hotsure and nijuba. Somewhat in the style of Yamato swords.