Katana - Sukenari - NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate - Uchigatana Koshirae/Shirasaya - Ubu Nakago - Shinshinto Era - Osaka 128377

Among the many Bizen katana, we proudly present here a work by Sukenari, who upheld the orthodoxy of Bizen during the Shinshin period.

Its condition is exceptionally well-preserved, making it a single blade that commands a strong presence for both appreciation and Iaido/trial cutting, with virtually no flaws such as nicks or rust. The jigane features a distinct itame grain with well-defined jinie. The hamon exhibits a gunome-choji with clear ashi. The nioi-kuchi is bright and sharp, the yakidashi forms a suguha, and the overall style radiates a commanding presence.

The nakago is inscribed: “Bizen Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukenari Tenpo Juichinen Shogatsu Kichijitsu” on the front side, and “Tomonari Gojuroku Dai Mago Bingo Fukuyama Ni Oite Korewo Kitaeru” on the back side. This signifies that in the New Year of Tenpo 11 (1840), Yokoyama Sukenari, residing in Bizen Osafune and the 56th generation descendant-disciple from the master swordsmith Tomonari, forged this sword in the land of Bingo Fukuyama.

Yokoyama Sukenari was a renowned master swordsmith of Bizen Osafune active during the late Edo period's Shinshinto era, known as a swordsmith in the lineage of Ueno Daijo Sukesada. Sukenari's swords are highly regarded as exemplifying orthodox Bizen swordsmanship of the late Edo period, often featuring finely forged small-grained jigane with brilliantly tempered straight hamon or gunome patterns.

Although he later moved to Fukuyama, this piece was forged in Fukuyama before his relocation and is presumed to be from his final period of work in Bizen. In December 2023, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords recognized this work as being in particularly excellent condition and possessing exceptional value for preservation for future generations, granting it Tokubetsu Hozon status and issuing a certificate of appraisal.

The Uchigatana Koshirae features the Handachi-style, and the superb preservation of the fittings further enhances the appeal of this exceptional blade.

Enhance your collection with this magnificent sword, a true orthodox Bizen.

• Blade length: 64.3 cm
• Curvature: 1.8 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 1
• Sakihaba: 18.7 mm
• Sakikasane: 4.1 mm
• Motohaba: 30.2 mm
• Motokasane: 6.0 mm
• Signature: Bizen Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sunenari Tenpo Juuichinen Shogatsu Kichijitsu(front)/Tomonari Gojurokudai Mago Bingo Fukuyama ni Oite Kore wo Kitaeru(back)
• Era: Shinshinto
• Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jigane: Itame
• Hamon: Gunome Choji
• Boshi: Midarekomi Komaru ni Kaeru
• Weight: 590 g(blade only)/930 g(without Saya)
• Nakago: Ubu
  
• Koshirae: Light browmn silk wrapped Tsuka with Anshu Ishime lacquered Saya/Shirasaya
• Original Registration No.: Osaka 128377

---

Please contact us if the katana you are looking for is not listed here.