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.
It has arrived! A masterpiece *tanto* by the master swordsmith Miyairi Kozaemon Yukihira, who shared a deep friendship with the famous actor and superstar Ken Takakura. The fact that the beloved swords left behind by the great Ken Takakura are carefully preserved and managed by Yukihira himself speaks volumes of the close bond the two shared during his lifetime. Miyairi Kozaemon Yukihira is the head smith of the Miyairi school. Born in 1957 (Showa 32) in Nagano Prefecture as Miyairi Kei, he is the second son of the *Ningen Kokuho* (Living National Treasure) Miyairi Akihira. His father, Akihira, was the greatest master among modern swordsmiths, having produced other *Ningen Kokuho* such as Amata Akitsugu and Osumi Toshihira. Miyairi Kei began apprenticing under his father at age 20 in 1977 (Showa 52). However, due to the sudden passing of Akihira mid-way through his training, he continued his studies under his father’s senior disciple, Fujiyasu Masahira. He received his official license to craft swords at age 25 and began submitting works to the *Shinsaku Meito Ten* (New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition) under the name Miyairi Kei. At age 39 (Heisei 8), he inherited his great-grandfather’s name "Kozaemon" and his father’s name "Yukihira," renaming himself Miyairi Kozaemon Yukihira. At age 43 (Heisei 12), he was certified as a *Mukansa* swordsmith. This *tanto* is a *utsushi* (reproduction) of Soshu Masamune. The *mune* is *shin-no-mune*, and the *moto-mihaba* and *saki-mihaba* are both wide, manifesting the *sugata* of a Masamune *tanto* from the late Kamakura period. The *jigane* is *itame-hada* mixed with *mokume-hada*, featuring *chikei* and abundant *ji-nie*. The *hamon* is *nioi-deki* with *ko-nie*; the *habuchi* features soft *notare-midare* mixed with *gunome*, where the *ko-nie* appears like fallen light snow. Within the *ha*, fine *kinsuji* appear. The *boshi* is *nie* with *hakikake*. This is a supreme masterpiece *tanto* by Miyairi Kozaemon Yukihira. The sword exhibition held at Tokyo Nihonbashi Takashimaya, which concluded on December 5, Reiwa 4, was immensely popular and a great success. We are offering this specially ordered Masamune *utsushi* by Miyairi Kozaemon Yukihira—a smith who is currently incredibly popular, expensive, and difficult to acquire—at a special discount price. Please enjoy this opportunity.
NihontoWatchHeisei (1989-2019) · nagasa 25.5cm
Shinano · around 1989-
6 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.
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.
¥850,000
