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 very 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, as indicated by the multiple holes in the tang. This combined with age 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 faint and the TAGANE MAKURA (raised area around the mei) is worn down, indicating great age.

We can however still relatively easily read the characters on the blade: 肥 前 國 住 人 忠 吉 作 - HIZEN NO KUNI JUNIN TADAYOSHI SAKU, which translates to “Made by Tadayoshi in Hizen Province”. The 前 (ZEN) character used on this blade is the correct modified version used by many members of the Hizen school. "Tadayoshi" is a famous lineage of smiths in the Hizen school, which also was a teacher for many other famous members of the school. We have researched this signature, and comparison to other known examples indicates that it was forged by 初代 忠吉 (SHODAI TADAYOSHI), or the first generation TADAYOSHI in Hizen province, a GRAND MASTER level smith. It is correctly signed on the opposite side of the blade from the usual, which is also typical for this smith. They were later known by the name 橋本 新左衛門尉 忠吉 - HASHIMOTO SHINSAEMONJO TADAYOSHI, which includes titles of great importance. For more information, as well as pictures of the reference oshigata we compared this sword to, please see this page at the Nihonto Club: TADAYOSHI.

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.
- blade has a visible temper line (hamon).
- blade has a BO HI (棒樋 - large or wide groove) fuller on both sides.
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Both ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits) are visible.

The this example has an overall length of 34 ⅝ inches, and the blade is 25 ⅛ inches long. The polish is unfortunately degraded, showing past staining and oxidation, particularly on the KISSAKI, where there is some scale rust on the surface of the blade. It also looks like in the past unfortunately someone may have used a buffing wheel on portions of the blade in an attempt to "clean" it. The edge however is still relatively sharp with no major dents or chips aside from the issues with the tip. The hamon is also still visible in the light on much of the blade. The tang (nakago) is of the futsu 普通 (regular) style, with a Kuri-jiri (aymmetrically rounded) nakago-jiri (tang-tip).

The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - tip of the blade), however due to the rust issues the YOKOTE (横手 - division between body and tip) and BOSHI (帽子 - tip temper line) have been completely removed. The main edge Temper line (HAMON - 刃文) is however still easily visible in areas, including the entire left side of the blade, and is a very attractive SUGUHA (直刃 - straight ) shape, with just a bit of undulation in areas. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. The blade also has a somewhat rarely seen BO HI (棒樋) or fuller in the blade on both sides. We usually only see these are very high end blades.

The fittings on this example are unfortunately partially missing, and those still included are definitely in need or restoration. There is no TSUBA (cross guard), nor are there any SEPPA (spacers) to keep the tight fit. The TSUKA (handle) is present, with a lovely decorative patterned FUCHI (collar) at the top. It still retains the stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip panels, which definitely look to be real ray skin, and not synthetic. They are however a bit degraded, and the ITO (cloth wrapping) is torn and hanging from the handle. There is also no KASHIRA (end cap) on the handle, and the peg is missing as well. The HABAKI is made from copper with a "rain" pattern on both sides, and is definitely EDO period style.

The sword comes in lovely wooden scabbard (saya), which has a very black URUSHI lacquer finish, with some fantastic artwork on both sides. It shows a cherry tree with a samurai next to it, who looks to be writing something while looking at the tree. It is executed in gold, brown, and red textured lacquer, and looks great, in spite of the chipping to the finish. The scabbard has unfortunately had the side seams split on much of the length of the blade, so the tip of the blade can stick out the bottom. THe scabbard does have a KURIKATA knob with a SHITODOME fitting inside, where a SAGEO sword cord might be attached, though there is none included with this example.

A great early Edo period sword by a very famous maker, complete with some great fittings. This is a sword that has some real restoration potential, offered at a fraction of the price it would bring if it was in top condition. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 ⅛"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 34 ⅝“
Scabbard Length: 26"

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.