Description
ITEM DESCRIPTION:
Comes with kimono or cotton bag. Comes with certificate of supein Nihonto. Comes with original prefecture certificate. Comes with NBTHK Hozon token.
Torokusho Translation (Tokyo No. 230521)
Weapon type: Katana (刀)
Blade length: 70.9 cm
Curvature: 1.4 cm
Mei (signature):
Obverse: Mutsu Shirakawa-jū Minamoto Yoshimune saku
Reverse: Keiō 3rd Year, 2nd Month (February 1867)
Registration date: May 21, 2009
Registered in: Tokyo
Registration number: Tokyo No. 230521
Blade Description
This signed katana by Minamoto Yoshimune, a swordsmith from the final years of the Edo period, features a 70.9 cm long blade with an elegant 1.4 cm curvature. The nakago inscription dates the blade to February 1867.
The hamon is clearly suguha (narrow, straight), subtle and expertly controlled. The hada is well-forged itame, showing ji-nie and refined surface activity. The boshi ends in a classical komaru form. The blade remains in excelent polish just having old rust spots already cleaned in one size.
Mounting (Koshirae and shirasaya)
The koshirae is complete and well-preserved, featuring a glossy black lacquered saya, black tsuka-ito wrapping over ray skin, and silver menuki shaped like stylized ocean waves.
The fuchi and kashira are adorned with elegant floral and arabesque motifs.
The tsuba is an openwork iron piece (sukashi) depicting a dragon among swirling clouds, accented with nunome zogan gilt details, reminiscent of Higo school aesthetics Signed Echizen Kinai.
Historical and Aesthetic Commentary
Crafted by Minamoto Yoshimune in Shirakawa, Mutsu province, this blade represents the late Edo Bakumatsu spirit—a time of looming transformation. Dated February 1867, this sword was forged on the eve of the Meiji Restoration.
Its compact suguha hamon and practical structure suggest a blade made for real martial use, not ceremony. The excellent mounting complements its role with sober elegance and quality craftsmanship even a few parts like a tsuka or saya seems contemporany, probably actualiced after parts of the koshirae was in bad state. The tsuba, habaki, and other parts are Edo period so the sword and koshirae are in very whelthy state of preservation.
Technical Sheet
Specification Details
Type Katana
Blade length 70.9 cm
Curvature (sori) 1.4 cm
Signature (mei) Mutsu Shirakawa-jū Minamoto Yoshimune saku
Date February 1867 (Keiō 3)
Period Edo period (Bakumatsu)
Mounting Full black lacquered koshirae
Hamon suguha
Hada Itame
Tsuba Iron sukashi with dragon & clouds, signed
Menuki Wave motif in silver
Certificate NBTHK Hozon Tōken No. 3024105
Torokusho Tokyo No. 230521
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.
