This is a katana from the Aoe school, originating from Bitchu province during the late Kamakura period (around the Karoku era). The steel (jigane) is finely forged in ko-itame, showing a clear utsuri (reflection) and a moist appearance. The hamon (temper line) is a straight-edge style with reverse ashi (legs).
NihontoWatchBETA
Bizen-den · Bitchu
24 pieces on the market now
The Aoe school arose in Bitchu Province, a region celebrated for iron production since antiquity. The early eleventh-century miscellany Shin Sarugaku-ki already lists "the swords of Bitchu" among the noted products of the provinces, and roughly two centuries later the Aoe swordsmiths emerged as heirs to that high reputation, flourishing chiefly in the lower basin of the Takahashi River in such locales as Koji and Manju. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Aritsugu有次 | 1278-1288 | 0 |
| Kunitsugu国次 | 1394-1466 | 0 |
| Yukitsugu行次 | 1249-1256 | 0 |
| Yasuhiro安弘 | 1264-1275 | 0 |
| Saia西阿 | 1288-1333 | 0 |
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.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
This is a katana from the Aoe school, originating from Bitchu province during the late Kamakura period (around the Karoku era). The steel (jigane) is finely forged in ko-itame, showing a clear utsuri (reflection) and a moist appearance. The hamon (temper line) is a straight-edge style with reverse ashi (legs).
NihontoWatchBETABizen-den · Bitchu
24 pieces on the market now
The Aoe school arose in Bitchu Province, a region celebrated for iron production since antiquity. The early eleventh-century miscellany Shin Sarugaku-ki already lists "the swords of Bitchu" among the noted products of the provinces, and roughly two centuries later the Aoe swordsmiths emerged as heirs to that high reputation, flourishing chiefly in the lower basin of the Takahashi River in such locales as Koji and Manju. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Aritsugu有次 | 1278-1288 | 0 |
| Kunitsugu国次 | 1394-1466 | 0 |
| Yukitsugu行次 | 1249-1256 | 0 |
| Yasuhiro安弘 | 1264-1275 | 0 |
| Saia西阿 | 1288-1333 | 0 |
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.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
