Katana - Sukemitsu - Uchigatana Koshirae - Ubu Nakago - Gendai Era

Sukemitsu's real name is Zenji Takeshita. He was born on May 20, 1915 in Gamo County, Shiga Prefecture.

His was trained in swordmaking by his father, Eitaro, whose swordsmith name was also Sukemitsu. Later, he studied under Oki Masatsugu and inherited his father's swordsmith name, Sukemitsu.

In 1941, he exhibited his sword at the Japanese Sword Exhibition and won an honorable mention. Two years later, in 1943, he was awarded a special prize. Before World War II, he was also active in the production of military swords as a swordsmith for the army because of his excellent quality. After the war, he received approval from the Agency for Cultural Affairs to again make swords in 1954, and from 1964 to 1970, he was selected seven consecutive times at the New Sword Exhibition of the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, being selected 11 times in total.

This piece is both dynamic and beautiful in appearance. The hada is based on itame with mokume, and the hamon is a mixture of gunome and choji, forming a beautiful pattern. The overall condition of the sword has been preserved in very good condition, although there is some rusting on the ridge. The hi is also grooved on the blade, making it ideal for iai use. The tsuba is made of iron with an eagle design, and has a copper fuchi-kashira and brass menuki fittings. The scabbard is two-tone with chirashi and kuro-ishime. This sword is a great value not only as an iai or batto, but also as a beautiful pieced that can be enjoyed through artistic appreciation.

• Blade length: 72 cm
• Curvature: 1.5 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 1
• Sakihaba:  20.0 mm
• Sakikasane:  5.0 mm
• Motohaba:  32.0 mm
• Motokasane:  6.5 mm
• Signature: Goshu Junin Takeshita Sukemitsu Korewo Tsukuru(front), Showa 40-nen 8-gatsu Bi
• Era: Gendai
• Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jigane: Itame with Mokume
• Hamon: Gunome Choji
• Boshi: Nakamaru
• Weight(without Saya):  910 g
• Nakago: Ubu
• Koshirae: Black silk tsuka wrapping with chirashi/kuro-ishime lacquered saya

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