NihontoWatch Mon

NihontoWatch

Market
Encyclopedia
Kantei
NihontoWatch Mon

NihontoWatch

Market
Encyclopedia
Kantei

Description

Tokubetsu Hozon Token 『 Bizen no suke Fujiwara Munetsugu, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi 』 Token Type: 『Katana』 Mei: 『Bizen no suke Fujiwara Munetsugu, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi』 『Bizen no suke fujiwara MUNETSUGU, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi』 Nihonto Kanteisho: 『Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai Tokubetsu Hozon Token』 NBTHK 『Tokubetsu Hozon Paper』 Jidai: 『Meiji 1 nen』 Production age 『1868』 Token Iretsu: 『Shinshinto Jojo-saku』 Koyama Munetsugu was a master of the Shinshinto Bizen-den style, and alongside the rare master smith "Kiyomaro," he stands as the leading figure among Bizen-den swordsmiths. Born in Oshu Shirakawa in Kyowa 3, his zokumei was Sobei, and he used the go Issensai and Seiryosai. His elder brothers were Munehira and Munetoshi. While it is said his teacher was Kato Tsunahide, considering his style, it is believed the influence of the younger brother Kato Tsunatoshi was greater. Initially a retained smith for the Shirakawa Matsudaira family, after the domain was transferred to Koshu Kuwana, he resided in Edo and crafted swords as a smith for the Kuwana domain. His residence was said to be in Azabu Nagasaka. He received the title of Bizen no suke in Koka 2. His production period spanned from the latter half of Bunsei to the early years of Meiji. His style was consistently Bizen-den, succeeding in firing nioi-gachi choji-midare on a beautiful, well-tightened jigane. This work is a production from Munetsugu's final years, his most mature period. It displays a variety of ha including choji-midare mixed with kobushi-gata style choji, kawazu-gata style choji, angular ha, and gunome. It features long ashi, a soft nioiguchi with konie, and other excellent characteristics. It is finished with a more flamboyant choji-dominant midare-ba than usual, and it is noteworthy that the nioiguchi is bright and clear. This is a superior masterpiece that fully demonstrates the smith's true ability, and it is also desirable that both the ji and ha are kenzen. 『Keijo』: Shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune, sori is jinjo and kenzen, chu-kissaki. 『Kitae』: Ko-itame hada well-kneaded and splendidly tightened, ji-nie attaches finely and densely, hada is moist. 『Hamon』: Bizen-den, koshi-hiraki gunome choji-midare, mixed with togari-ba, tobiyaki, and kobushi-gata choji style, yo and ashi enter well, nioi-deki with konie, ha is bright and clear. 『Boshi』: Midare-komi, saki is ko-maru with deep kaeri. 『Nakago』: Ubu, yasurime kiri, maru-mune, nakago-jiri iriyama-gata, mekugi-ana one. 『Tsuke』: Shirasaya 『Size』 Nagasa: 68.8cm, Sori: 1.5cm, Moto-haba: 3.2cm, Saki-haba: 2.2cm, Moto-kasane: 0.8cm, Saki-kasane: 0.5cm

NihontoWatch MonNihontoWatch
MarketEncyclopediaKantei
Swords›Orders and Inquiries
unknownTokubetsu Hozon
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu

Orders and Inquiries

ubu · Bizen · Shin-shinto · nagasa 68.8cm · sori 1.5cm

SOLD
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 1 of 4
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 2 of 4
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 3 of 4
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 4 of 4
1 / 4
1 / 4
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 1 of 4Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 2 of 4Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 3 of 4Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 4 of 4
Measurements & details
Smith

Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu

Era

Shin-shinto

Province

Bizen

Signature

Ubu (unaltered)

Papers

Tokuho (NBTHK)

Description

Tokubetsu Hozon Token 『 Bizen no suke Fujiwara Munetsugu, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi 』 Token Type: 『Katana』 Mei: 『Bizen no suke Fujiwara Munetsugu, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi』 『Bizen no suke fujiwara MUNETSUGU, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi』 Nihonto Kanteisho: 『Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai Tokubetsu Hozon Token』 NBTHK 『Tokubetsu Hozon Paper』 Jidai: 『Meiji 1 nen』 Production age 『1868』 Token Iretsu: 『Shinshinto Jojo-saku』 Koyama Munetsugu was a master of the Shinshinto Bizen-den style, and alongside the rare master smith "Kiyomaro," he stands as the leading figure among Bizen-den swordsmiths. Born in Oshu Shirakawa in Kyowa 3, his zokumei was Sobei, and he used the go Issensai and Seiryosai. His elder brothers were Munehira and Munetoshi. While it is said his teacher was Kato Tsunahide, considering his style, it is believed the influence of the younger brother Kato Tsunatoshi was greater. Initially a retained smith for the Shirakawa Matsudaira family, after the domain was transferred to Koshu Kuwana, he resided in Edo and crafted swords as a smith for the Kuwana domain. His residence was said to be in Azabu Nagasaka. He received the title of Bizen no suke in Koka 2. His production period spanned from the latter half of Bunsei to the early years of Meiji. His style was consistently Bizen-den, succeeding in firing nioi-gachi choji-midare on a beautiful, well-tightened jigane. This work is a production from Munetsugu's final years, his most mature period. It displays a variety of ha including choji-midare mixed with kobushi-gata style choji, kawazu-gata style choji, angular ha, and gunome. It features long ashi, a soft nioiguchi with konie, and other excellent characteristics. It is finished with a more flamboyant choji-dominant midare-ba than usual, and it is noteworthy that the nioiguchi is bright and clear. This is a superior masterpiece that fully demonstrates the smith's true ability, and it is also desirable that both the ji and ha are kenzen. 『Keijo』: Shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune, sori is jinjo and kenzen, chu-kissaki. 『Kitae』: Ko-itame hada well-kneaded and splendidly tightened, ji-nie attaches finely and densely, hada is moist. 『Hamon』: Bizen-den, koshi-hiraki gunome choji-midare, mixed with togari-ba, tobiyaki, and kobushi-gata choji style, yo and ashi enter well, nioi-deki with konie, ha is bright and clear. 『Boshi』: Midare-komi, saki is ko-maru with deep kaeri. 『Nakago』: Ubu, yasurime kiri, maru-mune, nakago-jiri iriyama-gata, mekugi-ana one. 『Tsuke』: Shirasaya 『Size』 Nagasa: 68.8cm, Sori: 1.5cm, Moto-haba: 3.2cm, Saki-haba: 2.2cm, Moto-kasane: 0.8cm, Saki-kasane: 0.5cm

NBTHK Certificate
Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken特別保存刀剣
Sword Especially Worthy of Preservation
›

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.

About the NBTHK›

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 site→
Seller
T
Taiseido
🇯🇵Ships from Japan
›
✓Verified dealertaiseido.biz
·Domestic shipping onlyWire transferPayPalCredit card
Return policy

When the item reaches you, please check immediately for damage and that it matches your order. We bear the shipping cost for a return; please send it freight-collect. Costs other than the item price cannot be refunded.

View all of Taiseido’s listings→View this item on the dealer’s site→

More from the Bizen school

Sanmei
Gendaitō
Tachi - by Yoshihiro - Chikuzen-ju Seto Yoshihiro-saku, Early Summer Showa 62nd YearTachi - by Yoshihiro - Chikuzen-ju Seto Yoshihiro-saku, Early Summer Showa 62nd Year

Tachi

ByYoshihiro
¥1,250,000
Bushido Antique Japanese Swords
Gendaitō
Tanto - by Yasumune - Osaki Yasumune Tanto - Yasukuni Shrine SwordsmithTanto - by Yasumune - Osaki Yasumune Tanto - Yasukuni Shrine Swordsmith

Tantō

ByYasumune
¥3,000
Nihonto Australia
Hozon
Yari - Hozon - by Osafune Arimitsu - Bizen Arimitsu Omi with NBTHK Hozon CertificateYari - Hozon - by Osafune Arimitsu - Bizen Arimitsu Omi with NBTHK Hozon Certificate

Yari

ByOsafune Arimitsu
¥4,500
Toushin
Katana - by Sue Bizen - Mumei (Attributed to Sue Bizen) - 2-1815Katana - by Sue Bizen - Mumei (Attributed to Sue Bizen) - 2-1815

Katana

BySue Bizen
¥880,000
Toyuukai
Tachi - by Kanemitsu - KanemitsuTachi - by Kanemitsu - Kanemitsu

Tachi

ByKanemitsu
¥600,000
Nihonto Australia
Tokuho
Tachi - Tokuho - by Yoshioka Ichimonji Ietsugu - Bizen IetsuguTachi - Tokuho - by Yoshioka Ichimonji Ietsugu - Bizen Ietsugu

Tachi

ByYoshioka Ichimonji Ietsugu
Ask
Samurai Shokai
Gendaitō
Tachi - by Akiyoshi - AkiyoshiTachi - by Akiyoshi - Akiyoshi

Tachi

ByAkiyoshi
¥980,000

Swords

  • Katana
  • Wakizashi
  • Tantō
  • Tachi
  • Naginata
  • Yari

Fittings

  • Tsuba
  • Fuchi-Kashira
  • Kozuka
  • Menuki

Armor

  • Kabuto
  • Samurai Armor

By Certification

  • Tokujū
  • Jūyō
  • Tokuho
  • Hozon

Resources

  • Dealer Directory
  • Artist Directory
  • The Daily Kantei
  • Glossary
  • Browse All
Nihontowatch© 2026
TermsPrivacyCookiesAbout

Description

Tokubetsu Hozon Token 『 Bizen no suke Fujiwara Munetsugu, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi 』 Token Type: 『Katana』 Mei: 『Bizen no suke Fujiwara Munetsugu, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi』 『Bizen no suke fujiwara MUNETSUGU, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi』 Nihonto Kanteisho: 『Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai Tokubetsu Hozon Token』 NBTHK 『Tokubetsu Hozon Paper』 Jidai: 『Meiji 1 nen』 Production age 『1868』 Token Iretsu: 『Shinshinto Jojo-saku』 Koyama Munetsugu was a master of the Shinshinto Bizen-den style, and alongside the rare master smith "Kiyomaro," he stands as the leading figure among Bizen-den swordsmiths. Born in Oshu Shirakawa in Kyowa 3, his zokumei was Sobei, and he used the go Issensai and Seiryosai. His elder brothers were Munehira and Munetoshi. While it is said his teacher was Kato Tsunahide, considering his style, it is believed the influence of the younger brother Kato Tsunatoshi was greater. Initially a retained smith for the Shirakawa Matsudaira family, after the domain was transferred to Koshu Kuwana, he resided in Edo and crafted swords as a smith for the Kuwana domain. His residence was said to be in Azabu Nagasaka. He received the title of Bizen no suke in Koka 2. His production period spanned from the latter half of Bunsei to the early years of Meiji. His style was consistently Bizen-den, succeeding in firing nioi-gachi choji-midare on a beautiful, well-tightened jigane. This work is a production from Munetsugu's final years, his most mature period. It displays a variety of ha including choji-midare mixed with kobushi-gata style choji, kawazu-gata style choji, angular ha, and gunome. It features long ashi, a soft nioiguchi with konie, and other excellent characteristics. It is finished with a more flamboyant choji-dominant midare-ba than usual, and it is noteworthy that the nioiguchi is bright and clear. This is a superior masterpiece that fully demonstrates the smith's true ability, and it is also desirable that both the ji and ha are kenzen. 『Keijo』: Shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune, sori is jinjo and kenzen, chu-kissaki. 『Kitae』: Ko-itame hada well-kneaded and splendidly tightened, ji-nie attaches finely and densely, hada is moist. 『Hamon』: Bizen-den, koshi-hiraki gunome choji-midare, mixed with togari-ba, tobiyaki, and kobushi-gata choji style, yo and ashi enter well, nioi-deki with konie, ha is bright and clear. 『Boshi』: Midare-komi, saki is ko-maru with deep kaeri. 『Nakago』: Ubu, yasurime kiri, maru-mune, nakago-jiri iriyama-gata, mekugi-ana one. 『Tsuke』: Shirasaya 『Size』 Nagasa: 68.8cm, Sori: 1.5cm, Moto-haba: 3.2cm, Saki-haba: 2.2cm, Moto-kasane: 0.8cm, Saki-kasane: 0.5cm

NihontoWatch MonNihontoWatch
MarketEncyclopediaKantei
Swords›Orders and Inquiries
unknownTokubetsu Hozon
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu

Orders and Inquiries

ubu · Bizen · Shin-shinto · nagasa 68.8cm · sori 1.5cm

SOLD
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 1 of 4
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 2 of 4
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 3 of 4
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 4 of 4
1 / 4
1 / 4
Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 1 of 4Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 2 of 4Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 3 of 4Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu — 4 of 4
Measurements & details
Smith

Bizen no Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu

Era

Shin-shinto

Province

Bizen

Signature

Ubu (unaltered)

Papers

Tokuho (NBTHK)

Description

Tokubetsu Hozon Token 『 Bizen no suke Fujiwara Munetsugu, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi 』 Token Type: 『Katana』 Mei: 『Bizen no suke Fujiwara Munetsugu, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi』 『Bizen no suke fujiwara MUNETSUGU, Meiji 1 nen 9 gatsu hi』 Nihonto Kanteisho: 『Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai Tokubetsu Hozon Token』 NBTHK 『Tokubetsu Hozon Paper』 Jidai: 『Meiji 1 nen』 Production age 『1868』 Token Iretsu: 『Shinshinto Jojo-saku』 Koyama Munetsugu was a master of the Shinshinto Bizen-den style, and alongside the rare master smith "Kiyomaro," he stands as the leading figure among Bizen-den swordsmiths. Born in Oshu Shirakawa in Kyowa 3, his zokumei was Sobei, and he used the go Issensai and Seiryosai. His elder brothers were Munehira and Munetoshi. While it is said his teacher was Kato Tsunahide, considering his style, it is believed the influence of the younger brother Kato Tsunatoshi was greater. Initially a retained smith for the Shirakawa Matsudaira family, after the domain was transferred to Koshu Kuwana, he resided in Edo and crafted swords as a smith for the Kuwana domain. His residence was said to be in Azabu Nagasaka. He received the title of Bizen no suke in Koka 2. His production period spanned from the latter half of Bunsei to the early years of Meiji. His style was consistently Bizen-den, succeeding in firing nioi-gachi choji-midare on a beautiful, well-tightened jigane. This work is a production from Munetsugu's final years, his most mature period. It displays a variety of ha including choji-midare mixed with kobushi-gata style choji, kawazu-gata style choji, angular ha, and gunome. It features long ashi, a soft nioiguchi with konie, and other excellent characteristics. It is finished with a more flamboyant choji-dominant midare-ba than usual, and it is noteworthy that the nioiguchi is bright and clear. This is a superior masterpiece that fully demonstrates the smith's true ability, and it is also desirable that both the ji and ha are kenzen. 『Keijo』: Shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune, sori is jinjo and kenzen, chu-kissaki. 『Kitae』: Ko-itame hada well-kneaded and splendidly tightened, ji-nie attaches finely and densely, hada is moist. 『Hamon』: Bizen-den, koshi-hiraki gunome choji-midare, mixed with togari-ba, tobiyaki, and kobushi-gata choji style, yo and ashi enter well, nioi-deki with konie, ha is bright and clear. 『Boshi』: Midare-komi, saki is ko-maru with deep kaeri. 『Nakago』: Ubu, yasurime kiri, maru-mune, nakago-jiri iriyama-gata, mekugi-ana one. 『Tsuke』: Shirasaya 『Size』 Nagasa: 68.8cm, Sori: 1.5cm, Moto-haba: 3.2cm, Saki-haba: 2.2cm, Moto-kasane: 0.8cm, Saki-kasane: 0.5cm

NBTHK Certificate
Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken特別保存刀剣
Sword Especially Worthy of Preservation
›

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.

About the NBTHK›

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 site→
Seller
T
Taiseido
🇯🇵Ships from Japan
›
✓Verified dealertaiseido.biz
·Domestic shipping onlyWire transferPayPalCredit card
Return policy

When the item reaches you, please check immediately for damage and that it matches your order. We bear the shipping cost for a return; please send it freight-collect. Costs other than the item price cannot be refunded.

View all of Taiseido’s listings→View this item on the dealer’s site→

More from the Bizen school

Sanmei
Gendaitō
Tachi - by Yoshihiro - Chikuzen-ju Seto Yoshihiro-saku, Early Summer Showa 62nd YearTachi - by Yoshihiro - Chikuzen-ju Seto Yoshihiro-saku, Early Summer Showa 62nd Year

Tachi

ByYoshihiro
¥1,250,000
Bushido Antique Japanese Swords
Gendaitō
Tanto - by Yasumune - Osaki Yasumune Tanto - Yasukuni Shrine SwordsmithTanto - by Yasumune - Osaki Yasumune Tanto - Yasukuni Shrine Swordsmith

Tantō

ByYasumune
¥3,000
Nihonto Australia
Hozon
Yari - Hozon - by Osafune Arimitsu - Bizen Arimitsu Omi with NBTHK Hozon CertificateYari - Hozon - by Osafune Arimitsu - Bizen Arimitsu Omi with NBTHK Hozon Certificate

Yari

ByOsafune Arimitsu
¥4,500
Toushin
Katana - by Sue Bizen - Mumei (Attributed to Sue Bizen) - 2-1815Katana - by Sue Bizen - Mumei (Attributed to Sue Bizen) - 2-1815

Katana

BySue Bizen
¥880,000
Toyuukai
Tachi - by Kanemitsu - KanemitsuTachi - by Kanemitsu - Kanemitsu

Tachi

ByKanemitsu
¥600,000
Nihonto Australia
Tokuho
Tachi - Tokuho - by Yoshioka Ichimonji Ietsugu - Bizen IetsuguTachi - Tokuho - by Yoshioka Ichimonji Ietsugu - Bizen Ietsugu

Tachi

ByYoshioka Ichimonji Ietsugu
Ask
Samurai Shokai
Gendaitō
Tachi - by Akiyoshi - AkiyoshiTachi - by Akiyoshi - Akiyoshi

Tachi

ByAkiyoshi
¥980,000

Swords

  • Katana
  • Wakizashi
  • Tantō
  • Tachi
  • Naginata
  • Yari

Fittings

  • Tsuba
  • Fuchi-Kashira
  • Kozuka
  • Menuki

Armor

  • Kabuto
  • Samurai Armor

By Certification

  • Tokujū
  • Jūyō
  • Tokuho
  • Hozon

Resources

  • Dealer Directory
  • Artist Directory
  • The Daily Kantei
  • Glossary
  • Browse All
Nihontowatch© 2026
TermsPrivacyCookiesAbout
NihontoWatch Mon

NihontoWatch

Market
Encyclopedia
Kantei
NihontoWatch Mon

NihontoWatch

Market
Encyclopedia
Kantei