It has appeared, it has appeared! A masterpiece that serves as a historical document, believed to be a unique example (1 kuchi) by the Shinshinto master Bizen Osafune Yokoyama Sukenaga, who adorned the end of the Bizen Osafune smithing lineage. This famous sword features the soemei "I Nanban-tetsu Saku Nari" (Made using Nanban steel). Sukenaga Tosho, in order to publicly proclaim to the world that he was the head smith and legitimate successor of the Bizen Osafune lineage, also produced works with the mei "Tomonari 56th Generation Descendant." This sword is a top-grade tokubetsu chumon-hin (special order item) from the Bakumatsu period, Bunsei 11 (1828) (197 years ago), by Bizen no Kuni Osafune Yokoyama Sukenaga. It was crafted exactly during the era of the 11th Shogun, Tokugawa Ienari, who held the longest reign of 47 years among all shoguns. At that time, a national census was conducted, announcing a population of 27.2 million (excluding kuge and buke families)—for comparison, the Japanese population as of January 1, 2025, is 120,653,227. Bizen no Kuni Osafune Yokoyama Sukenaga Tosho was the second son of Bizen Osafune Sukeira, succeeding him and receiving the title of Kaga no Suke. The sugata of this sword is magnificent, featuring the Bizen-den koshi-zori style with a distinct difference between the moto-mihaba and saki-mihaba. The jigane utilizes Nanban-tetsu (imported foreign steel), which was precious during the period of national isolation (sakoku), forged into an itame-hada that clearly reveals the texture of the steel. The hamon is a masterpiece in nioi-deki, imitating the Muromachi period master Bizen no Kuni Ju Osafune Yosozaemon-no-jo Sukesada, with high-rising choji-ba at the base transitioning into a sugu-cho tone toward the kissaki. The Edo-period koshirae adds further splendor to this famous sword by Bizen Osafune Yokoyama Sukenaga. Having just emerged into the world for the first time (ubu), it is being offered at a special bargain price. Please enjoy this magnificent meito, featuring the rare soemei "I Nanban-tetsu Saku Nari," believed to be a one-of-a-kind piece.
NihontoWatchEdo · nagasa 68.9cm · sori 1.7cm
Bizen-den · Bizen · around 1830-1844
Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 63%
13 pieces on the market now
Bizen-den · Bizen
40 pieces on the market now
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Sukenobu祐信 | 1830-1844 | 0 |
| Suketaka祐高 | 1865-1868 | 0 |
| Sukeharu祐春 | 1864-1865 | 0 |
| Sukehiro祐廣 | 1854-1860 | 0 |
| Sukekane祐包 | 1868-1912 | 0 |
The Edo period (1615 to 1868)
Under the Tokugawa peace the daishō became a regulated uniform, and demand gathered in the castle towns, above all Edo itself. The craft split two ways: brilliant display work for connoisseurs, and tested blades whose cutting results were sometimes inlaid in gold.
Certifies a genuine blade worth preserving: a signature confirmed correct, or, if unsigned, an era, province, and school that the NBTHK can reliably identify.
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 siteFor 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.
¥1,280,000
