NihontoWatchSwordsmith Ono Yoshimitsu, born in Showa 23, is named Yoshida Mitsuo. He graduated from the Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences (Veterinary Medicine). A student of Yoshihara Yoshindo, he is a Mukansa swordsmith who won the Takamatsunomiya-sho, the highest award at the Shinsaku Meito-ten (New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition), for four consecutive years from Showa 59 to Showa 62. Among modern swordsmiths, he is particularly famous in the sword world as a genius smith whose works are traded at the highest prices. He is a genius swordsmith who continues to shine brilliantly for his production of masterpieces replicating the National Treasure "Yamatorige." This sword is one of his masterpiece blades, crafted when he was 35 years old, one year before his consecutive Takamatsunomiya-sho wins, during a period when his spiritual energy (kiryoku) was at its peak. This masterpiece was forged during his efforts to reproduce the famous Yamatorige no Tachi (National Treasure) passed down through the Uesugi family. The sugata is magnificent, with a wide moto-mihaba and saki-mihaba, and an extended kissaki. The jigane is a finely packed ko-itame hada, and the horimono consists of a bo-hi. The hamon is a grand choji-midare that nearly reaches the shinogi, mixed with ko-choji to form a juka-choji-midare. With dense ashi and yo, it fully expresses both splendor and ambition (haki); each individual choji seems to be breathing, showing marvelous skill. The swords of Ono Yoshimitsu have stood out for their ability since that time, and this sword is a tachi that serves as a representative work. Having received this blade from an old connoisseur (sukisha) with the request to pass it on to the next generation at a reasonable price, we are offering this masterpiece by the genius smith Ono Yoshimitsu at a special low price. Please truly enjoy it.
NihontoWatchOffered by Nipponto
Niigata · Heisei-Reiwa
1 piece 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.
For returns due to customer circumstances, the cost is the customer's responsibility. For returns due to our mis-shipment or a defective item, we bear the cost.
Price on request