This wakizashi is a notable example of Fukuoka Ichimonji, a Bizen school from the Kamakura period. It features a powerful form with wide mihaba, thick kasane, and bo-hi carvings, culminating in an ikubi-kissaki. The jigane exhibits a vibrant midare-utsuri with thick ji-nie, while the hamon is a flamboyant choji-midare resembling cherry blossoms, with various elements like kawazuko-choji and flying yakiba. The tang bears a kinpun-mei (gold powder inscription) attributing it to Ichimonji, authenticated by Hon'ami.
NihontoWatchkinpun-mei · Fukuoka Ichimonji · Kamakura · nagasa 51.2cm · sori 1.49cm
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 |
A blade of top-grade workmanship and condition, formally judged to rank with a nationally recognized Important Art Object (Jūyō Bijutsuhin). Awarded only at the NBTHK’s competitive annual examination.
Of Japan’s roughly 2.5 million registered swords, only 12,307 (about 1 in 203) have ever attained Jūyō.
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 siteIf, 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.
This wakizashi is a notable example of Fukuoka Ichimonji, a Bizen school from the Kamakura period. It features a powerful form with wide mihaba, thick kasane, and bo-hi carvings, culminating in an ikubi-kissaki. The jigane exhibits a vibrant midare-utsuri with thick ji-nie, while the hamon is a flamboyant choji-midare resembling cherry blossoms, with various elements like kawazuko-choji and flying yakiba. The tang bears a kinpun-mei (gold powder inscription) attributing it to Ichimonji, authenticated by Hon'ami.
NihontoWatchkinpun-mei · Fukuoka Ichimonji · Kamakura · nagasa 51.2cm · sori 1.49cm
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 |
A blade of top-grade workmanship and condition, formally judged to rank with a nationally recognized Important Art Object (Jūyō Bijutsuhin). Awarded only at the NBTHK’s competitive annual examination.
Of Japan’s roughly 2.5 million registered swords, only 12,307 (about 1 in 203) have ever attained Jūyō.
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 siteIf, 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.
