The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
It has arrived, it has arrived! A matching *daisho* set of masterpiece swords by the swordsmith Chikushu-ju Muneshige. Muneshige Tosho was a close collaborator of the famous *Mukansa* swordsmith So Tsutomu; due to registration circumstances, this *daisho* set is a masterpiece crafted with So Tsutomu acting as the master smith (*toryo-kaji*). The master So Tsutomu was born in Showa 2 and is immensely famous as a contemporary master craftsman, having won numerous special prizes at the *Shinsaku Meito-ten* (New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition) competitions, including the Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner's Award, the Mainichi Shimbun Award, the Kunzan Award, and the Chairman's Award. Coming from a lineage of swordsmiths spanning generations, the family built a vast fortune by producing "whale knives" with outstanding sharpness, capable of cutting through both frozen and steaming whales in the harsh conditions of the Antarctic Ocean. Using that wealth, he spared no expense in using top-grade *tamahagane* to create swords that are both magnificent for appreciation and possess the outstanding cutting ability that is the original mission of the Japanese sword. This *daisho* set was created with So Tsutomu serving as the master (*oyakata*) and his disciples swinging the *mukou-zuchi* (sledgehammers), pouring their heart and soul into the work. For registration reasons, it bears the *mei* of his junior fellow student Muneshige, but it is a masterpiece *daisho* created with the full strength of the So school, modeled after the Bakumatsu grandmaster Minamoto Kiyomaro. The *sugata* displays the grand and powerful form of Minamoto Kiyomaro, with a wide *moto-mihaba* and a wide *saki-mihaba*. The *jigane* is a finely packed *ko-itame hada*, forged into a bright and powerful steel. The *hamon* is a *gunome-midare* in the style of Minamoto Kiyomaro; in both the *dai* and *sho*, the *ha-chu* exhibits many of Kiyomaro’s characteristic *kinsuji*, fired brilliantly and magnificently. The *koshirae* are also luxurious *daisho-koshirae*, adding further splendor to this set of swords. On this occasion, a long-time connoisseur (*sukisha*) who personally visited the forge and made repeated, earnest requests over a year to have this *daisho* specially made, has entrusted them to us, saying, "We have grown old, so please pass these on at a low price to someone who will cherish them." Therefore, we are offering them at a special bargain price. Please enjoy this matching *daisho* set of masterpiece swords, which have been finished with a top-tier *togitogi* (polish).
NihontoWatchHeisei · nagasa 73.2cm · sori 1.8cm
Chikuzen · around 1989-2019
3 pieces on the market now
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
For returns due to customer circumstances, the cost is the customer's responsibility. For returns due to our mis-shipment or a defective item, we bear the cost.
It has arrived, it has arrived! A matching *daisho* set of masterpiece swords by the swordsmith Chikushu-ju Muneshige. Muneshige Tosho was a close collaborator of the famous *Mukansa* swordsmith So Tsutomu; due to registration circumstances, this *daisho* set is a masterpiece crafted with So Tsutomu acting as the master smith (*toryo-kaji*). The master So Tsutomu was born in Showa 2 and is immensely famous as a contemporary master craftsman, having won numerous special prizes at the *Shinsaku Meito-ten* (New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition) competitions, including the Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner's Award, the Mainichi Shimbun Award, the Kunzan Award, and the Chairman's Award. Coming from a lineage of swordsmiths spanning generations, the family built a vast fortune by producing "whale knives" with outstanding sharpness, capable of cutting through both frozen and steaming whales in the harsh conditions of the Antarctic Ocean. Using that wealth, he spared no expense in using top-grade *tamahagane* to create swords that are both magnificent for appreciation and possess the outstanding cutting ability that is the original mission of the Japanese sword. This *daisho* set was created with So Tsutomu serving as the master (*oyakata*) and his disciples swinging the *mukou-zuchi* (sledgehammers), pouring their heart and soul into the work. For registration reasons, it bears the *mei* of his junior fellow student Muneshige, but it is a masterpiece *daisho* created with the full strength of the So school, modeled after the Bakumatsu grandmaster Minamoto Kiyomaro. The *sugata* displays the grand and powerful form of Minamoto Kiyomaro, with a wide *moto-mihaba* and a wide *saki-mihaba*. The *jigane* is a finely packed *ko-itame hada*, forged into a bright and powerful steel. The *hamon* is a *gunome-midare* in the style of Minamoto Kiyomaro; in both the *dai* and *sho*, the *ha-chu* exhibits many of Kiyomaro’s characteristic *kinsuji*, fired brilliantly and magnificently. The *koshirae* are also luxurious *daisho-koshirae*, adding further splendor to this set of swords. On this occasion, a long-time connoisseur (*sukisha*) who personally visited the forge and made repeated, earnest requests over a year to have this *daisho* specially made, has entrusted them to us, saying, "We have grown old, so please pass these on at a low price to someone who will cherish them." Therefore, we are offering them at a special bargain price. Please enjoy this matching *daisho* set of masterpiece swords, which have been finished with a top-tier *togitogi* (polish).
NihontoWatchHeisei · nagasa 73.2cm · sori 1.8cm
Chikuzen · around 1989-2019
3 pieces on the market now
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
For returns due to customer circumstances, the cost is the customer's responsibility. For returns due to our mis-shipment or a defective item, we bear the cost.
