Antique Japanese Sword Katana signed by Sagami no Kami Kunimasa with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Sagami no Kami Kunimasa (相模守国維). Kunimasa was initially known as Sesshu Osaka Sumiyoshi Yoshishige and was active during the Kanbun era (1661-1673: the early Edo period). He was a disciple of the second-gen Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi who was the head of Mishina school, one of the most prestigious schools in Osaka during the early Edo period. Kunimasa primarily forged blades in Osaka but there is a record of him moving to Iyo province (Ehime prefecture) to exclusively serve Iyo Matsuyama domain (伊予松山藩). It is said that Kunimasa often did a Daisaku for his master. Daisaku is a regular act where an apprentice or a child of the swordsmith signs his master’s name with his master’s permission or forges a blade on behalf of the master. That means that his master highly acknowledged Kunimasa’s craftsmanship. That is also why there aren’t many remaining blades signed by Kunimasa, who dedicated his career to helping his master. He received Sagami no Mami title in his career. Kami is an honorable official given to skilled acknowledged swordsmiths from the imperial court during the Samurai period. Osaka Shinto The blades forged by Kunimasa are categorized as Osaka Shinto. Shinto is Japanese Sword terminology that refers to the swords forged during 1596-1781. The blades made in the Osaka area during this period are called Osaka Shinto. There are many famous swordsmiths in this Osaka Shinto era. After Hideyoshi Toyotomi built Osaka castle, Osaka city flourished as a castle town and became the business center. Many swordsmiths moved to Osaka to look for better opportunities. They not only forged swords for those Samurai who lived in Osaka but also for feudal lords nationwide. Ikanshi Tadatsuna (Awataguchi Omi no Kami Tadatsuna), Inoue Shinkai (his son), and Tsuda Sukehiro are the most famous among many swordsmiths. One of the most notable characteristics of Osaka Shinto is its beauty in Jigane. Jigane is a visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during the forging process), which made it possible by the location of Osaka. Osaka had close access to the Tamahagane (special carbon steel to make Japanese swords) production sites. The swordsmiths residing in Osaka were able to get high-quality carbon steel from these sites. Silver Inlay Ichizan Issaizan (銀象嵌 一斬一切斬) Ginzogan (銀象嵌) refers to a traditional Japanese metal inlay technique where silver is embedded into the surface of another metal, typically iron or steel. This technique is commonly seen on the Nakago (tang) of Japanese swords, where decorative inscriptions or important information—such as the swordsmith’s name, date of production, or cutting tests (tameshigiri)—are inlaid in silver. In this case, the silver inlay writing says Ichizan Issaizan (一斬一切斬), which indicates the sharpness and cutting ability of this blade. Based on the letters “Ichizan (One single cutting attempt) and Issaizan (Cutting completely),” we presume this blade had excellent cutting ability when it was forged. Appraisal It is appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token (特別保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value. *Please keep in mind that there are a tiny black rust on this blade. If you like to see the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 63.0 cm (24.8 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.4 cm (0.55 inches) Hamon : The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process Jimon(Jihada) : visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process Kissaki : Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword. Nakago : Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword. Japanese swordsmiths left the bla

Antique Japanese Sword Katana signed by Sagami no Kami Kunimasa with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Sagami no Kami Kunimasa (相模守国維). Kunimasa was initially known as Sesshu Osaka Sumiyoshi Yoshishige and was active during the Kanbun era (1661-1673: the early Edo period). He was a disciple of the second-gen Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi who was the head of Mishina school, one of the most prestigious schools in Osaka during the early Edo period. Kunimasa primarily forged blades in Osaka but there is a record of him moving to Iyo province (Ehime prefecture) to exclusively serve Iyo Matsuyama domain (伊予松山藩). It is said that Kunimasa often did a Daisaku for his master. Daisaku is a regular act where an apprentice or a child of the swordsmith signs his master’s name with his master’s permission or forges a blade on behalf of the master. That means that his master highly acknowledged Kunimasa’s craftsmanship. That is also why there aren’t many remaining blades signed by Kunimasa, who dedicated his career to helping his master. He received Sagami no Mami title in his career. Kami is an honorable official given to skilled acknowledged swordsmiths from the imperial court during the Samurai period. Osaka Shinto The blades forged by Kunimasa are categorized as Osaka Shinto. Shinto is Japanese Sword terminology that refers to the swords forged during 1596-1781. The blades made in the Osaka area during this period are called Osaka Shinto. There are many famous swordsmiths in this Osaka Shinto era. After Hideyoshi Toyotomi built Osaka castle, Osaka city flourished as a castle town and became the business center. Many swordsmiths moved to Osaka to look for better opportunities. They not only forged swords for those Samurai who lived in Osaka but also for feudal lords nationwide. Ikanshi Tadatsuna (Awataguchi Omi no Kami Tadatsuna), Inoue Shinkai (his son), and Tsuda Sukehiro are the most famous among many swordsmiths. One of the most notable characteristics of Osaka Shinto is its beauty in Jigane. Jigane is a visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during the forging process), which made it possible by the location of Osaka. Osaka had close access to the Tamahagane (special carbon steel to make Japanese swords) production sites. The swordsmiths residing in Osaka were able to get high-quality carbon steel from these sites. Silver Inlay Ichizan Issaizan (銀象嵌 一斬一切斬) Ginzogan (銀象嵌) refers to a traditional Japanese metal inlay technique where silver is embedded into the surface of another metal, typically iron or steel. This technique is commonly seen on the Nakago (tang) of Japanese swords, where decorative inscriptions or important information—such as the swordsmith’s name, date of production, or cutting tests (tameshigiri)—are inlaid in silver. In this case, the silver inlay writing says Ichizan Issaizan (一斬一切斬), which indicates the sharpness and cutting ability of this blade. Based on the letters “Ichizan (One single cutting attempt) and Issaizan (Cutting completely),” we presume this blade had excellent cutting ability when it was forged. Appraisal It is appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token (特別保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value. *Please keep in mind that there are a tiny black rust on this blade. If you like to see the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 63.0 cm (24.8 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.4 cm (0.55 inches) Hamon : The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process Jimon(Jihada) : visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process Kissaki : Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword. Nakago : Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword. Japanese swordsmiths left the bla