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.
This is a katana by Yoshihara Shoji, a Mukansa swordsmith designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Tokyo. Forged in the Heisei era (1989), it features a robust shinogizukuri form with a high koshi-zori and a well-forged itame jigane. The hamon is a vibrant choji-midare reminiscent of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school, with active ashi within the blade.
NihontoWatchmei · Showa (1926-1989) · nagasa 71.1cm · sori 2.74cm
Tokyo · around 1926-1989
5 pieces on the market now
Shōwa to the present: destruction and revival
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.
No cooling-off period or returns; refund only if the purchased sword is proven fake, capped at purchase price (excludes commission sales, accessories, auction items).
