Original Item: Only One Available. The Japanese Katana (刀 or かたな) is a sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. The design is iconic, and probably one of the best known sword styles in the world, easily identifiable even in silhouette. The official term for katana in Japan is uchigatana (打刀) and the term katana (刀) often refers to single-edged swords from around the world. Developed later than the tachi, it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge facing upward.

After the Meiji Restoration, its used became much less widespread, however when Imperial Japan developed large ambitions, the Katana once again returned as a sign of prestige and rank. After the war, many were brought home by returning U.S. servicemen, which how most that we see ended up in the United States.

This example dates from the early Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. It is around the middle of the blade length range, and has a "Shinogi Zukuri" shape, the standard for the Katana.

This example has been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This combined with age and oxidation has made the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina from oxidation and rust scaling. The blade is signed, however the TAGANE (chisel marks) are very faint and the TAGANE MAKURA (raised area around the mei) are completely removed. We were having a lot of trouble, but thankfully the experts at the Nihonto message board were able to give an attribution that we believe is accurate.

The blade is signed on both sides of the tang, with one side giving information about the smith: 勢州桑名住藤原勝吉 - SEISHU KUWANA JU FUJIWARA KATSUYOSHI. This translates to "Fujiwara Katsuyoshi of Kuwana in Seishu" another name for Ise Province (伊勢国 or Ise no kuni). The other side reads 於幡州姫路作是 - OITE BANSHŪ HIMEJI SAKU KORE, or "Made this at Himeji in Banshū) another name for Harima Province (播磨国 or Harima no kuni). Himeji was a large commerce center at the time, and is the home of the legendary Himeji Castle (姫路城 or Himeji-jō), the largest and most visited castle in Japan today, which avoided many military attacks and natural disasters.

KATSUYOSHI was a member of a small group of smiths based from KUWANA, along with KATSUSHIGE (勝重) and KATSUNAGA (勝永), all of which look to have worked in Himeji in the 17th Century. They used a very distinctive stylization of the 州 (SHU) character in BANSHŪ, which can make the signature hard to read. There is unfortunately not much information on these smiths, but they were highly rated and notable. We were able to find another sword by KATSUYOSHI, which we used to compare he signature on: KATSUYOSHI. We have included pictures in the photos showing the comparison with this known example.

From this we obtained the following information, which may have some information lost in translation:

During the Edo Shinto period, Masashige became the main member of the Sengo Muramasa family, and they were highly valued by outside feudal lords. This swordsmith was a disciple of Sengo Masashige during the Momoyama period. They were awarded a contract during the 5th month of the Dog Year of the 8th year of the Genna era (1622). He was a keen student, and later moved from Kuwana to Himeji when Honda Tadamasa moved from Kuwana to Himeji. Among the treasures of Tado Shrine (designated as a cultural property by Mie Prefecture in 1979) is a sword with the inscription: "Fujiwara Katsuyoshi, of Kuwana, Seshu."

Really some fantastic research potential for this rare maker.

The blade has the following period correct features:

- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- hole (mekugi-ana) in the tang is punched and not drilled
- blade is signed on the tang by the maker on both sides
- blade has a vibrant visible temper line (hamon)
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Both ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits) are visible.
- blade has HORIMONO (彫物), which are carved designs on the sword blade.

The this example has an overall length of 35 ⅜ inches, and the blade is 24 ¾ inches long. The polish is in very good condition, showing no oxidation or major staining that we can see. The edge of the blade is still relatively sharp, showing just a few small nicks and dents. It does look like the blade has probably been cleaned with UCHIKO powder since the last polishing, but it was not applied excessively. The aspects of the blade are still easily visible in the light. The tang (nakago) is of the futsu 普通 (regular) style, with a KENGYO (symmetrically pointed) nakago-jiri (tang-tip).

The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - tip of blade) with a clear YOKOTE (横手 - transition to the tip) and BOSHI (帽子 -tip temper line). The main edge Temper line (HAMON - 刃文) is mostly visible, and is a very attractive NOTARE (湾れ - wave like hamon) shape. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, which show chatoyancy. There is also some very nice activity within the hamon, making this a really great example. The body of the blade (JI) also shows faint hada (肌 - grain), which is the AYASUGI (綾杉 - large wavy) shape.

The tip temper line (boshi) is of visible, and is of the KO-MARU (小丸 - small round turnback) shape. The left side of the blade has some lovely HORIMONO (彫物), which are carved designs on the sword blade, which really add to the appearance. The design is somewhat simple, and looks to have been added before the last polishing. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display are definitely in demand.

The magnificent perforated TSUBA (cross guard) is made of iron and is of the MARU GATA (round) shape, with two HITSU-ANA accessory slots, one for the kogatana handle (KOZUKA), and the other for the hair ornament (KOGAI). Both sides are COVERED with small brass and copper rod shaped inlays, giving it a fantastic textured look. Definitely a very old TSUBA with some great history to it. There are three brass SEPPA (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight, though due to the handle shrinking it is still a bit loose even when they are fitted. The HABAKI is made from copper, and is definitely EDO period style.

The FUCHI (collar) for the TSUKA (handle) is a fantastic blacked embossed copper exampe, which shows what look to be horses, with some lovely gilt highlights that are nearly impossible to photograph. It is even signed on the top with 政随行齢六十又六, which translates to SHŌZUI GYŌNEN 66. This refers to the maker of the fuchi, Shōzui (Masayuki), who made it when he was 66 years old. The KASHIRA (butt cap) is made from blacked embossed copper as well, and has a matching horse design, so this was made as a set, still together after all this time. There are two gold highlighted non-magnetic MENUKI grip ornaments, which show what look to be chickens or some others birds. The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, and definitely looks to be real ray skin, and not synthetic. The brown grip wrapping (ITO) shows some wear and staining, but no major damage, and looks to definitely be from the Edo period. The single wooden MEKUGI peg looks to be later edo period.

The sword comes in a well fitting wooden scabbard (SAYA), which has a very attractive gloss brown URUSHI lacquer finish. It looks to be from the later Edo period, and may have had the exterior refinished at some point during the 20th century, as it really looks great. The side has the KURIKATA knob on the side for a SAGEO sword cord, and there is a lovely modern green and blue sageo tightly wrapped around the scabbard, which could be fitted through the kurikata if desired. Really a fantastic scabbard that fits the blade like a glove.

A fantastic early Edo Period Katana, signed by a known maker and complete with scabbard and some lovely fittings. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 24 ¾"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 35 ⅜“
Scabbard Length: 27 ½"

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Japanese blade (日本刀 - Nihonto) is unique because it is forged from multiple pieces of folded steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.

The traditional Japanese blade and mountings have grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.