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 katana, made by Yoshindo, features a vibrant and powerful hamon, likely inspired by Kagemitsu of Osafune from the late Kamakura period. Yoshindo, born in Tokyo in 1943, learned sword making from his grandfather, the 1st generation Kuniie, and became independent. He is known for his high skill and innate aesthetic sense in creating Bizen-style swords, having won consecutive excellence awards at the New Master Swordsmith Exhibition and being recognized as a Mukansa swordsmith in 1981.
NihontoWatch
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.
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.
