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Item# TS046
Antique Katana sword in Ornate Mounting
Late Edo Era (1851)
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificated (Extremely Well Preserved certificate)

Swordsmith: Hosokawa Tadayoshi

Experience the prestige of owning a quality Katana sword from SAMURAI STORE Tokyo, a symbol of true craftsmanship.
 

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Katana

Signed Tadayoshi (Hosokawa Minamoto) – Suishinshi Masahide School

Kaei 3 (1851) – Late Edo Period

Type: Katana Nihonto
Signature: Inscrimbed – Sōshū Sakura Hosokawa Minamoto Tadayoshi
Province: Kazusa Province
Certification: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken
Mounting: Complete Koshirae included

Description

This is a finely crafted and highly attractive signed Noihonto katana by Hosokawa (Minamoto) Tadayoshi (忠義), a distinguished swordsmith of the late Edo period, dated to Kaei 3 (1851).

The blade is forged in shinogi-zukuri with a well-preserved ubu nakago, retaining its original signature—an important point for collectors of Shinshintō period swords.

Tadakiyo is recognized as a leading smith of the school of Suishinshi Masahide, the founder of the Shinshintō movement, which sought to revive the traditions of classical Japanese swordmaking. As such, his work reflects a refined understanding of earlier styles combined with the precision of late Edo craftsmanship.

Tadayoshi is recognized as a leading smith of the school of Suishinshi Masahide, the founder of the Shinshintō movement, which sought to revive the traditions of classical Japanese swordmaking. As such, his work reflects a refined understanding of earlier styles combined with the precision of late Edo craftsmanship.

Hamon & Workmanship

The hamon is a beautiful ko-chōji midare, mixed with subtle pointed elements (togariba), and enriched with visible sunagashi.

The blade shows a strong and well-developed nie structure, with deep and thick nie giving the hamon a vivid and highly three-dimensional appearance.

This combination of fine chōji activity, sharp variations, and rich nie creates a dynamic and visually captivating temper pattern—one of the most appealing features of this sword.

Appreciation

Blades by Tadayoshi are valued for their balance of classical inspiration and technical precision, reflecting the ideals of the Suishinshi Masahide school.

This example stands out for its bright and lively hamon, strong nie, and elegant overall form, making it an excellent representative work of the late Edo period.

Authentication

This sword is accompanied by a certificate issued by the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai), designating it as Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken (Especially Worthy of Preservation)—a level that indicates superior quality and historical importance.

Koshirae (Ornate Mounting)

The sword is accompanied by a refined koshirae in a restrained and practical aesthetic, consistent with the samurai taste of the late Edo period.

The fuchi and kashira are decorated with high-relief dragonfly motifs, symbolically known in Japan as kachimushi or “victory insects.”
The dragonfly, which never flies backward, was historically favored by samurai as a symbol of courage, determination, and unwavering advance, making it a powerful and meaningful motif in sword mountings.

The tsuba is an iron sukashi guard of understated design, emphasizing functionality and balance rather than excessive ornamentation.
Its simple openwork form complements the overall character of the mounting, reinforcing a refined and disciplined aesthetic.

The tsuka is wrapped in black ito over samegawa stingray skin, with visible menuki providing subtle decorative accents beneath the wrap.
The combination of materials and subdued tones gives the koshirae a cohesive and dignified presence.

Collector’s Note

For collectors of Shinshintō swords, works connected to the Suishinshi Masahide lineage hold particular importance, as they represent a conscious revival of classical sword traditions.

A signed, ubu katana with Tokubetsu Hozon certification, combined with such refined chōji activity and strong nie, makes this blade both highly collectible and visually impressive.

Also Comes With:
Standard Sword Bag

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