Ichimonji (一文字) was one of the most famous schools in the history of Japanese sword making. Originating in the early Kamakura period (beginning of 13th century) and flourishing locally in Bizen province (present-day Okayama Prefecture) until the Nanbokuchō period (mid-14th century), its smiths are traditionally grouped according to their production site. The Yoshioka-Ichimonji (吉岡一文字) School, to which this blade is attributed, was active in the town of the same name, located just short of 10 km (6 miles) to the north of what is the present-day city of Osafune. Tradition has it that the school was founded at the end of the 13th century by a smith named Sukeyoshi (助吉), who had come from the neighboring Fukuoka-Ichimonji (福岡一文字) School, and although the meikan (cumulative records of swordsmiths) list many Yoshioka-Ichimonji smiths, surviving signed works of them are exceedingly rare.

With its flamboyant hamon brimful of activities (hataraki), its prominent midare-utsuri, and also its strikingly healthy condition, this blade stands out among all works attribution to said school. The vibrant style follows that of the earlier Fukuoka-Ichimonji smiths, but the individual elements of the hamon being somewhat smaller dimensioned in comparison, and the presence of more nie-based activities like kinsuji and sunagashi, identify the blade as an Yoshioka-Ichimonji work. Particularly noteworthy is also the completely intact bōshi, the hardening in the tip, which is otherwise often affected by material loss in this area occurring in course of repeated polishing over the centuries.

As per January of 2025, only ten blades have been given the status of Tokubetsu-Jūyō Tōken by the NBTHK. Taking into the consideration that also only five Yoshioka-Ichimonji works hold designations by the Agency of Cultural Affairs, two Jūyō-Bijutsuhin and three Jūyō-Bunkazai, it can be said that this blade ranks among the top 15 works of this school in existence. Further, excluding the Yoshioka-Ichimonji blades from this group that are unshortened (or only slightly shortened) and signed (all with just the character for Ichi), the number of directly comparable works is reduced to only ten. In conclusion, it must be added that per repute, this blade was once a heirloom of the Daimy family Akimoto (秋元), which ruled towards the end of the Edo period the Tatebayashi domain (館林藩) in Kōzuke province (present-day Gunma Prefecture). Incidentally, of the other Yoshioka-Ichimonji works that are ranked Tokubetsu-Jūyō Tōken, only two more come with a provenance; one to the Shimazu (島津) family of Satsuma, and one to the Owari-Tokugawa (尾張徳川) family.