Description
ITEM DESCRIPTION:
Comes with kimono or cotton bag. Comes with certificate of supein Nihonto. Comes with prefecture certificate.
Translation of the Torokusho
Registration number: Kanagawa No. 82063
Category: Sword (Wakizashi)
Blade length: 33.6 cm
Curvature (sori): 0.2 cm
Number of mekugi-ana: 2
Signature (mei): 備州長船住祐定作 — Bishū Osafune-jū Sukesada saku
Registration date: November, Reiwa 5 (2023)
Issuing authority: Kanagawa Prefectural Board of Education
Professional Description
This refined wakizashi, signed 備州長船住祐定作 (Bishū Osafune-jū Sukesada saku), embodies the distinguished legacy of the Bizen Osafune school, one of the most prolific and respected lineages in Japanese swordmaking. The blade, measuring 33.6 cm with a gentle curvature of 0.2 cm, exhibits a clean polish that reveals a visible hada and a calm suguha hamon — a straight temper line representing serenity and precision.
The surface shows subtle ji-nie and fine forging patterns, attesting to both its age and expert craftsmanship. The ko-kissaki (small tip) is well defined and proportionate, completing the sword’s elegant profile.
The koshirae displays remarkable artistic value with a naturally aged patina and deep character. The tsuka features an embossed dark finish with floral motifs and a menuki depicting a shishi (guardian lion), symbol of protection and vitality. The fuchi-kashira, crafted in bronze with delicate kebori engraving, harmonizes beautifully with the rest of the fittings.
The tsuba is plain and functional, made of iron, while the saya is finished in dark lacquer, imparting a restrained and elegant appearance consistent with Edo-period taste.
The signature Sukesada refers to one of the longest and most prestigious lines within the Bizen Osafune school (present-day Okayama Prefecture). These smiths were known for producing blades of perfect balance and classical beauty, highly prized for their sharpness and grace.
Overall, this wakizashi exemplifies the spiritual and aesthetic harmony of the Japanese sword — understated, balanced, and preserved in excellent condition.
Technical Sheet
Type: Wakizashi
Signature: 備州長船住祐定作 (Bishū Osafune-jū Sukesada saku)
Period: Edo
Blade length: 33.6 cm
Curvature: 0.2 cm
Mekugi-ana: 2
Mounting: Complete koshirae
Hamon: Suguha
Hada: Itame with visible ji-nie
Kissaki: Ko-kissaki
Saya: Glossy black lacquer
Menuki: Bronze shishi motif
Fuchi/Kashira: Decorated bronze
Tsuba: Iron
Torokusho: Kanagawa No. 82063
Historical and Artistic Context
The Osafune school, based in Bizen Province (present-day Okayama), was for centuries Japan’s foremost swordmaking center. Among its many lineages, the Sukesada family stood out as one of the most enduring and productive, active from the Muromachi through the Edo period.
Sukesada smiths were celebrated for their technical mastery and their ability to balance beauty with practicality. Their blades — recognizable for their refined jihada and precise hamon — were widely used by samurai across social ranks. The signature 備州長船住祐定 (Bishū Osafune-jū Sukesada) appears on a wide range of works, from high-ranking commissioned blades to practical weapons for martial use.
This wakizashi embodies that legacy: a discreet yet powerful piece of steel, harmoniously balanced, combining artistry, discipline, and spiritual depth — the very essence of the Japanese sword.
