Description
ITEM DESCRIPTION:
Comes with kimono or cotton bag. Comes with certificate of supein Nihonto. Comes with original prefecture certificate.
Torokusho (Registration Certificate)
Translation
Registration Number: Niigata Prefecture No. 074001
Blade type: Katana (刀)
Blade length: 60.8 cm
Curvature (sori): 1.8 cm
Signature:
備州 長船祐定 (Bishū Osafune Sukesada)
Blade
This exquisite katana bears the signature 備州長船祐定 (Bishū Osafune Sukesada), one of the most prolific and esteemed lineages of the Bizen tradition. With a length of 60.8 cm, this blade is officially classified as a katana, despite its slightly compact proportions. Together with its elegant curvature of 1.8 cm, it was likely designed for refined and functional wearing.
The hamon is of the gunome midare type, showing dynamic, wavy temper lines with a clear and consistent nioiguchi. The hada is clearly visible and features a combination of itame and mokume, revealing intricate forging activity under polish. The boshi is well executed, returning smoothly, and the kissaki is well defined and cleanly polished.
The tang (nakago) is signed:
備州長船祐定 (Bishū Osafune Sukesada), a name used across generations of the Bizen Osafune school. Based on the forging style and the characteristics of the mounting, this blade is attributed to the mid-Edo period, a time when traditional craftsmanship was flourishing with refined aesthetics.
Mounting (Koshirae)
The sword is housed in a handachi-style mounting (半太刀拵) — a hybrid between the formal tachi and the practical katana. This style incorporates tachi-style fittings (such as ornamental semegane, koiguchi, kurigata, and kojiri) while adapting the mounting to the katana format, worn edge-up through the obi. It was favored by high-ranking samurai during the Edo period, especially in the 17th–18th centuries, combining ceremonial dignity with practicality.
Saya: Lacquered in nashiji urushi, with brilliant iridescent flakes over a black ground. All metal fittings (koiguchi, semegane, kurigata, and kojiri) are made of bronze or shibuichi, adorned with engraved scrollwork and gold inlay (kinzogan).
Kashira and fuchi: Matching the saya fittings, decorated with arabesque motifs and in excellent condition.
Tsuka: Wrapped in dark tsuka-ito over white samegawa (rayskin), with ornamental menuki (exact theme not visible in current images). The kashira is reinforced with a cord hole fitting.
Tsuba: Not fully visible, but likely consistent with the overall handachi theme — possibly iron with matching ornamentation.
The result is a luxurious and coherent mount that preserves its original components. It greatly enhances the sword’s aesthetic and historical value, far surpassing the simplicity of a shirasaya in both appearance and narrative power.
Technical Sheet
Item Details
Blade length 60.8 cm
Curvature (sori) 1.8 cm
Signature (mei) 備州長船祐定 (Bishū Osafune Sukesada)
Mounting Handachi style with nashiji lacquer saya and gold fittings
Hamon Gunome midare
Hada Itame mixed with mokume
Estimated period Mid-Edo period
Certificate Original Niigata torokusho no. 074001
Historical and Artistic Narrative
This katana, signed by a member of the legendary Sukesada lineage of Osafune, dates from the mid-Edo period, a time of political stability and cultural sophistication under the Tokugawa shogunate. During this era, Japanese swords evolved into refined works of art, not only as weapons but as symbols of status and identity.
The blade, with its elegant curvature and subtle forging activity, reflects the mastery inherited from centuries of Bizen tradition. Yet it is the mounting — a superb handachi-style koshirae — that truly sets this piece apart. The bright nashiji lacquer, ornate fittings in gold and bronze, and refined aesthetics speak of a samurai of high standing.
This was a sword not just to be wielded, but to be worn with dignity, admired in ceremony, and passed down as a testament to honor and refinement. A true masterpiece of balance between utility and aristocratic grace.
Includes the original Japanese registration certificate, confirming authenticity and increasing its value as a collectible and historical artifact.
Blade is in good condition due to aging just superficial scratchings as normal. Not hagire and not fatal damage, of course. This is a japanese weapon so have a real historical value. This is a weapon with centuries, not machine crafted so can be minor movements of saya, tsuka, tsuba, etc. Because of dilatation, humidity, etc. and little damages propers of his age like small rust, scratches, etc.
