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 tanto made by Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa in Tokyo during the Showa era (1976). Shigemasa was a highly regarded swordsmith who was certified as Mukansa by the Japanese Art Sword Preservation Society. He was active both before and after the war and left a significant mark on Japanese sword history.
NihontoWatchmei · Showa (1926-1989) · nagasa 27.4cm
around 1926-1989
4 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.
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).
This is a tanto made by Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa in Tokyo during the Showa era (1976). Shigemasa was a highly regarded swordsmith who was certified as Mukansa by the Japanese Art Sword Preservation Society. He was active both before and after the war and left a significant mark on Japanese sword history.
NihontoWatchmei · Showa (1926-1989) · nagasa 27.4cm
around 1926-1989
4 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.
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).
