This katana is attributed to the Yoshioka Ichimonji school, active during the Nambokuchô period (early to mid-1300s). It features a vibrant ô-chôji-midare hamon in nioi-deki and a rich mokume-hada jihada with dramatic mune-yaki. The blade has been shortened twice from a long tachi and is presented in shirasaya, holding an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate.
NihontoWatchBETAmumei · Yoshioka Ichimonji · Kôtô – Early nambokuchô Period (circa 1333-1360) · nagasa 72.3cm · sori 1.1cm
Bizen-den · Bizen
8 pieces on the market now
Working at Yoshioka in Bizen Province, this branch of the Ichimonji lineage arose toward the close of the Kamakura period (its dated works begin in the late thirteenth century) and carried the tradition forward into the Nanbokuchō era. It took shape as the successor to the Fukuoka Ichimonji once that earlier group had passed its apex, and the published sources rank it directly behind Fukuoka among the Ichimonji branches in both prosperity and quality. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Sukemitsu助光 | 1299-1302 | 7 |
| Ichi一 | 1288-1293 | 3 |
| Sukeyoshi助吉 | 1303-1306 | 3 |
| Kagehide景秀 | 1329-1331 | 0 |
| Kanenaga包永 | 1334-1338 | 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 katana is attributed to the Yoshioka Ichimonji school, active during the Nambokuchô period (early to mid-1300s). It features a vibrant ô-chôji-midare hamon in nioi-deki and a rich mokume-hada jihada with dramatic mune-yaki. The blade has been shortened twice from a long tachi and is presented in shirasaya, holding an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate.
NihontoWatchBETAmumei · Yoshioka Ichimonji · Kôtô – Early nambokuchô Period (circa 1333-1360) · nagasa 72.3cm · sori 1.1cm
Bizen-den · Bizen
8 pieces on the market now
Working at Yoshioka in Bizen Province, this branch of the Ichimonji lineage arose toward the close of the Kamakura period (its dated works begin in the late thirteenth century) and carried the tradition forward into the Nanbokuchō era. It took shape as the successor to the Fukuoka Ichimonji once that earlier group had passed its apex, and the published sources rank it directly behind Fukuoka among the Ichimonji branches in both prosperity and quality. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Sukemitsu助光 | 1299-1302 | 7 |
| Ichi一 | 1288-1293 | 3 |
| Sukeyoshi助吉 | 1303-1306 | 3 |
| Kagehide景秀 | 1329-1331 | 0 |
| Kanenaga包永 | 1334-1338 | 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.
