This is a naginata-naoshi katana by the Fukuoka Ichimonji school, originally forged as a naginata and later reshaped into a katana. It features a rich itame jihada with midare-utsuri and a wide, explosive chôji-midare hamon characteristic of the school. The blade is attributed to Ichimonji via a gold-inlaid mei and is authenticated by a Hon'ami origami from 1714, holding an NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token designation.
NihontoWatchkinzogan-mei · Fukuoka Ichimonji · Kotô · mid-kamakura Period · nagasa 70.1cm · sori 2cm
Bizen-den · Bizen
7 pieces on the market now
At Fukuoka in Bizen, in the opening decades of the Kamakura period, the smiths who cut the single character ichi (一) above their signatures gathered into the line that bears the village name. The published sources name Norimune as the founder, one of the goban-kaji summoned in monthly rotation to the forge of the retired Emperor Go-Toba, and Nobufusa among the same court roster a generation alongside him. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Sukezane助眞 | 1264-1275 | 42 |
| Yoshifusa吉房 | 1247-1249 | 45 |
| Norimune則宗 | 1184-1185 | 8 |
| Yoshihira吉平 | 1243-1247 | 17 |
| Tamekiyo爲清 | 1213-1219 | 6 |
The NBTHK’s highest grade, reserved for the rare Jūyō blades of exceptional artistry, condition, and historical value, judged on par with a nationally designated Important Cultural Property (Jūyō Bunkazai).
Only 1,211 swords have ever reached Tokubetsu Jūyō, about 1 in 2,064 registered blades.
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 is a naginata-naoshi katana by the Fukuoka Ichimonji school, originally forged as a naginata and later reshaped into a katana. It features a rich itame jihada with midare-utsuri and a wide, explosive chôji-midare hamon characteristic of the school. The blade is attributed to Ichimonji via a gold-inlaid mei and is authenticated by a Hon'ami origami from 1714, holding an NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token designation.
NihontoWatchkinzogan-mei · Fukuoka Ichimonji · Kotô · mid-kamakura Period · nagasa 70.1cm · sori 2cm
Bizen-den · Bizen
7 pieces on the market now
At Fukuoka in Bizen, in the opening decades of the Kamakura period, the smiths who cut the single character ichi (一) above their signatures gathered into the line that bears the village name. The published sources name Norimune as the founder, one of the goban-kaji summoned in monthly rotation to the forge of the retired Emperor Go-Toba, and Nobufusa among the same court roster a generation alongside him. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Sukezane助眞 | 1264-1275 | 42 |
| Yoshifusa吉房 | 1247-1249 | 45 |
| Norimune則宗 | 1184-1185 | 8 |
| Yoshihira吉平 | 1243-1247 | 17 |
| Tamekiyo爲清 | 1213-1219 | 6 |
The NBTHK’s highest grade, reserved for the rare Jūyō blades of exceptional artistry, condition, and historical value, judged on par with a nationally designated Important Cultural Property (Jūyō Bunkazai).
Only 1,211 swords have ever reached Tokubetsu Jūyō, about 1 in 2,064 registered blades.
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.
