This extraordinary wakizashi, attributed to the Katayama Ichimonji school of Bitchu province, dates from the late Kamakura to Nambokucho period. Originally a tachi, it was shortened to its current mumei form, yet retains a spectacular saka-choji hamon and fine mokume-hada with midare-utsuri. The blade is authenticated by a sayagaki from Honami Soukei and an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate.
NihontoWatchsuriage-mumei · Katayama Ichimonji · Kotô – Late Kamakura to nambokucho (1260~1390) · nagasa 46cm · sori 0.9cm
Bizen-den · Bitchu
1 piece on the market now
The Katayama Ichimonji school arose when Norifusa of the Fukuoka Ichimonji lineage relocated to Katayama during the mid-Kamakura period. While the place name "Katayama" has traditionally been identified with Bitchū Province, recent scholarship has advanced the theory that it may instead refer to Katayama in the vicinity of Fukuoka in Bizen Province, inviting further investigation. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Norifusa則房 | 1249-1256 | 38 |
| Kageshige景重 | 1394-1428 | 0 |
| Nobutsugu延次 | 1278-1288 | 0 |
| Noritsune則常 | 1394-1428 | 0 |
| Sanetoshi眞利 | 1260-1261 | 0 |
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteAll swords come with a three-day inspection period beginning from the date of delivery. If not satisfied, the sword may be returned within this period for a full refund of the purchase price. Outside of this period, all sales are final. Swords purchased on a layaway payment plan are not eligible for the three-day inspection period.
This extraordinary wakizashi, attributed to the Katayama Ichimonji school of Bitchu province, dates from the late Kamakura to Nambokucho period. Originally a tachi, it was shortened to its current mumei form, yet retains a spectacular saka-choji hamon and fine mokume-hada with midare-utsuri. The blade is authenticated by a sayagaki from Honami Soukei and an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate.
NihontoWatchsuriage-mumei · Katayama Ichimonji · Kotô – Late Kamakura to nambokucho (1260~1390) · nagasa 46cm · sori 0.9cm
Bizen-den · Bitchu
1 piece on the market now
The Katayama Ichimonji school arose when Norifusa of the Fukuoka Ichimonji lineage relocated to Katayama during the mid-Kamakura period. While the place name "Katayama" has traditionally been identified with Bitchū Province, recent scholarship has advanced the theory that it may instead refer to Katayama in the vicinity of Fukuoka in Bizen Province, inviting further investigation. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Norifusa則房 | 1249-1256 | 38 |
| Kageshige景重 | 1394-1428 | 0 |
| Nobutsugu延次 | 1278-1288 | 0 |
| Noritsune則常 | 1394-1428 | 0 |
| Sanetoshi眞利 | 1260-1261 | 0 |
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteAll swords come with a three-day inspection period beginning from the date of delivery. If not satisfied, the sword may be returned within this period for a full refund of the purchase price. Outside of this period, all sales are final. Swords purchased on a layaway payment plan are not eligible for the three-day inspection period.
