This is a Koto katana attributed to the Ichimonji school of Bizen province, designated as an Important Art Object by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Formerly owned by Hakushi Kozu, it is a splendid and healthy masterpiece that was preserved in the National Museum's storage until recently.
NihontoWatchmumei · Ichimonji · Kamakura · nagasa 70.9cm · sori 1.9cm
Bizen-den · Bizen
25 pieces on the market now
The Ichimonji school (Ichimonji-ha) represents one of the two paramount traditions of Bizen Province swordmaking during the Kamakura period, flourishing alongside the Osafune lineage from the early thirteenth century through the Nanbokuchō era. The school's name derives from the practice of carving the character ichi (一, "one") onto the nakago, though signatures varied considerably—some blades bear only this single ideograph, others append an individual maker's name beneath it, and still others carry personal names alone. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Tsunetsugu恒次 | 1321-1324 | 11 |
| Chikatsugu親次 | 1306-1308 | 2 |
| Sukemasa資正 | 1469-1487 | 1 |
A blade designated by the Japanese government for its high artistic and historical value, a standing comparable to an Important Sword. The designation carries an export restriction: a Jūyō Bijutsuhin is kept within Japan and forfeits its status if it ever leaves the country.
The Important Art Object (Jūyō Bijutsuhin) designation dates to the 1933 Law for the Preservation of Important Works of Fine Arts, passed during the Great Depression to stem the outflow of Japan’s cultural treasures abroad. The systems of Important Cultural Property and National Treasure did not yet cover privately-held works, so accreditation by the Minister of Education marked an object as a quasi-National Treasure that could not be exported. About 8,300 works were accredited before the system closed, roughly 1,000 of them swords. The 1950 Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties superseded it: higher-ranked pieces were promoted to Important Cultural Property, the rest kept their standing Jūyō Bijutsuhin status, and no new designations have been made since.
Customer-initiated returns accepted within two days of arrival; return shipping paid by customer and fees non-refundable. Returns/refunds unavailable for overseas deliveries.
This is a Koto katana attributed to the Ichimonji school of Bizen province, designated as an Important Art Object by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Formerly owned by Hakushi Kozu, it is a splendid and healthy masterpiece that was preserved in the National Museum's storage until recently.
NihontoWatchmumei · Ichimonji · Kamakura · nagasa 70.9cm · sori 1.9cm
Bizen-den · Bizen
25 pieces on the market now
The Ichimonji school (Ichimonji-ha) represents one of the two paramount traditions of Bizen Province swordmaking during the Kamakura period, flourishing alongside the Osafune lineage from the early thirteenth century through the Nanbokuchō era. The school's name derives from the practice of carving the character ichi (一, "one") onto the nakago, though signatures varied considerably—some blades bear only this single ideograph, others append an individual maker's name beneath it, and still others carry personal names alone. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Tsunetsugu恒次 | 1321-1324 | 11 |
| Chikatsugu親次 | 1306-1308 | 2 |
| Sukemasa資正 | 1469-1487 | 1 |
A blade designated by the Japanese government for its high artistic and historical value, a standing comparable to an Important Sword. The designation carries an export restriction: a Jūyō Bijutsuhin is kept within Japan and forfeits its status if it ever leaves the country.
The Important Art Object (Jūyō Bijutsuhin) designation dates to the 1933 Law for the Preservation of Important Works of Fine Arts, passed during the Great Depression to stem the outflow of Japan’s cultural treasures abroad. The systems of Important Cultural Property and National Treasure did not yet cover privately-held works, so accreditation by the Minister of Education marked an object as a quasi-National Treasure that could not be exported. About 8,300 works were accredited before the system closed, roughly 1,000 of them swords. The 1950 Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties superseded it: higher-ranked pieces were promoted to Important Cultural Property, the rest kept their standing Jūyō Bijutsuhin status, and no new designations have been made since.
Customer-initiated returns accepted within two days of arrival; return shipping paid by customer and fees non-refundable. Returns/refunds unavailable for overseas deliveries.
