This katana is an exceptional example of Sukemitsu's work, featuring a nie-deki choji gunome midare hamon and ko-itame hada. Sukemitsu, born in 1820, was the personal smith for the Mito Han, known for producing durable and sharp blades. The sword comes with an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper awarded in 2020 and is housed in a shirasaya with a gold foil double habaki.
NihontoWatchmei · Mito · Ansei (1854-1860) · nagasa 69.2cm · sori 1.1cm
Hitachi · around 1854-1860
Fujishiro Chu saku · Tōken Taikan top 95%
2 pieces on the market now
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.
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
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 site3 day inspection period on all sales. Items can be returned for any reason for a full refund, less return shipping cost. Returned items must be in the same condition as when purchased.
$8,700
This katana is an exceptional example of Sukemitsu's work, featuring a nie-deki choji gunome midare hamon and ko-itame hada. Sukemitsu, born in 1820, was the personal smith for the Mito Han, known for producing durable and sharp blades. The sword comes with an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper awarded in 2020 and is housed in a shirasaya with a gold foil double habaki.
NihontoWatchmei · Mito · Ansei (1854-1860) · nagasa 69.2cm · sori 1.1cm
Hitachi · around 1854-1860
Fujishiro Chu saku · Tōken Taikan top 95%
2 pieces on the market now
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.
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
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 site3 day inspection period on all sales. Items can be returned for any reason for a full refund, less return shipping cost. Returned items must be in the same condition as when purchased.
$8,700
