Description
ITEM DESCRIPTION:
Comes with kimono or cotton bag. Comes with certificate of supein Nihonto. Comes with copy of Tokosusho. Comes with NBTHK Hozon Certificate.
Documentation
Muromachi Period Katana NBTHK Hozon Certificate
-
“Appraisal Certificate”
-
“Katana Mumei (Hira Takada).”
-
“The above item has been examined by this association; as a result of the appraisal, it is judged to be Hozon Tōken (Worthy of Preservation) and is hereby certified.”
-
“Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 5 bu and a half.” (approx. 71.36 cm)
-
“Public Interest Incorporated Foundation: Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword.”
-
“No. 3036724.”
Torokusho:
-
“Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate.”
-
“Registration number: Tokyo, No. 208389.”
-
“Category: katana.”
-
“Blade length: 71.5 cm.”
-
“Curvature (sori): 1.7 cm.”
-
“Mekugi-ana: 2.”
-
“Inscription (front / back): unsigned (mumei).”
-
“Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education.”
Attribution and context
Based on the documentary evidence, the attribution 無銘（平高田） places the blade within the Takada tradition of Bungo Province (Kyūshū) and, specifically, within the designation “Hira/Taira Takada” used for koto production of the Muromachi period. Japanese specialist trade descriptions state directly that 平高田 refers to a Bungo smith group associated with Muromachi, whereas from the shintō era onward (Edo) the line is commonly referred to as 藤原高田 (Fujiwara Takada) as Fujiwara becomes a frequent surname in signatures within that tradition.
In broader historical terms, the Takada school begins earlier, but its wider proliferation is tied to Kyūshū demand, and it is documented that the tradition flourished strongly from the late Muromachi period and continued through Edo. The piece is a Muromachi-period (koto) katana, attributed to Hira Takada, emblematic of a militarized Japan where dependable, well-balanced blades were valued for wear and use.
Technical description of the blade
A shinogi-zukuri katana with moderate curvature, consistent with the registration data (sori 1.7 cm). The kissaki shows a clearly defined yokote and an overall medium proportion in appearance. Along the cutting edge, a subtle temper line can be seen under this lighting, without it being prudent to lock in a specific hamon pattern from these images alone.
The nakago is unsigned, with two mekugi-ana and a well-set patina. Overall geometry reads as balanced and functional, with the clean silhouette of a long katana (registered nagasa 71.5 cm).
Technical description of the koshirae
Complete koshirae in a restrained, coherent style. The tsuka is wrapped in black tsuka-ito in traditional braid over light samegawa, with gold-toned menuki visible beneath the wrap. The tsuba is a round iron guard with dark patina, robust and classically proportioned. The saya is brown with an organic textured surface (skin-like), fitted with a black sageo.
As a whole, this koshirae does more than present the piece attractively: it also provides protection, practical stability, and immediate historical/aesthetic presence compared with an exclusively shirasaya presentation.
