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.
This is a tachi by the swordsmith Kuniie (Yoshiwara Shouji), a Tokyo Metropolitan Intangible Cultural Property holder. Made in October 1989, it features a wide mihaba of 3.5cm, deep sori, and an ikubi-kissaki, characteristic of a robust mid-Kamakura period style. The blade exhibits a vibrant chouji-midare hamon with long ashi and you, set against a clear jigane with fine itamehada and mokumehada.
NihontoWatchmei · Showa (1926-1989) · nagasa 75cm · sori 2.8cm
Tokyo · around 1926-1989
5 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.
Returns/exchanges/cancellations not accepted after shipment except for significant defects; if defective, return/exchange possible within 3 days of arrival (return shipping paid by customer).
