This katana is attributed to the Awataguchi school of the late Heian to early Kamakura period (circa 1150). The blade is ubu (unshortened) mumei (unsigned) with a slender mihaba (width), deep koshi-sori (curvature) that tends to toriizori and straightens out slightly in the monouchi area, and has a ko-kissaki. This blade has been awarded the rank of Jûyô Tôken by the NBTHK in Japan.
NihontoWatchmumei · Awataguchi · Kamakura · nagasa 74.6cm · sori 1.4cm
Yamashiro-den · Yamashiro
6 pieces on the market now
The steel is the first thing one learns to read in Awataguchi work: a ko-itame kneaded so tight that the surface takes on the pear-skin sheen the texts name nashiji-hada, the ji-nie dusted over it fine and even, slender chikei threading through, the whole carrying a moist luster (潤い) and a clarity that recurs in notice after notice. This is the steel of the early Yamashiro tradition at its summit. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Yoshimitsu吉光 | 1259-1260 | 44 |
| Kuniyoshi國吉 | 1275-1278 | 51 |
| Kunitsuna國綱 | 1240-1264 | 18 |
| Hisakuni久國 | 1190-1199 | 21 |
| Norikuni則國 | 1222-1224 | 15 |
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 siteThree-day inspection period and seven-day return period; buyer notifies by email within three days of receipt, no reason needed; full refund once item returned undamaged and unaltered.
This katana is attributed to the Awataguchi school of the late Heian to early Kamakura period (circa 1150). The blade is ubu (unshortened) mumei (unsigned) with a slender mihaba (width), deep koshi-sori (curvature) that tends to toriizori and straightens out slightly in the monouchi area, and has a ko-kissaki. This blade has been awarded the rank of Jûyô Tôken by the NBTHK in Japan.
NihontoWatchmumei · Awataguchi · Kamakura · nagasa 74.6cm · sori 1.4cm
Yamashiro-den · Yamashiro
6 pieces on the market now
The steel is the first thing one learns to read in Awataguchi work: a ko-itame kneaded so tight that the surface takes on the pear-skin sheen the texts name nashiji-hada, the ji-nie dusted over it fine and even, slender chikei threading through, the whole carrying a moist luster (潤い) and a clarity that recurs in notice after notice. This is the steel of the early Yamashiro tradition at its summit. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Yoshimitsu吉光 | 1259-1260 | 44 |
| Kuniyoshi國吉 | 1275-1278 | 51 |
| Kunitsuna國綱 | 1240-1264 | 18 |
| Hisakuni久國 | 1190-1199 | 21 |
| Norikuni則國 | 1222-1224 | 15 |
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 siteThree-day inspection period and seven-day return period; buyer notifies by email within three days of receipt, no reason needed; full refund once item returned undamaged and unaltered.
