The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
This is a long katana by Yakuwa Yasutake, a Mukansa-ranked Yasukuni swordsmith, born in Yamagata in 1909. He was awarded the 'Yasutake' smith name in 1944 and later received the prestigious Masamune Prize in 1981. The blade features a robust construction typical of Yasukuni-to, with a small gunome-midare hamon in a straight temper line, making it suitable for both martial arts and appreciation.
NihontoWatchmei · Yasukuni · Showa · nagasa 76.7cm · sori 2.3cm
Tokyo · around 1926-1989
2 pieces on the market now
Shōwa to the present: destruction and revival
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
This is a long katana by Yakuwa Yasutake, a Mukansa-ranked Yasukuni swordsmith, born in Yamagata in 1909. He was awarded the 'Yasutake' smith name in 1944 and later received the prestigious Masamune Prize in 1981. The blade features a robust construction typical of Yasukuni-to, with a small gunome-midare hamon in a straight temper line, making it suitable for both martial arts and appreciation.
NihontoWatchmei · Yasukuni · Showa · nagasa 76.7cm · sori 2.3cm
Tokyo · around 1926-1989
2 pieces on the market now
Shōwa to the present: destruction and revival
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
