A katana registered as Tokubetsu Juyo Token [Exceptionally Important Sword] | Attributed to the Yoshioka Ichimonji School | Kamakura period, 14th century

A katana registered as Tokubetsu Juyo Token [Exceptionally Important Sword]

Attributed to the Yoshioka Ichimonji School

Kamakura period, 14^th century

Sugata [configuration]: shinogi-zukuri, iori mune, typical width and thickness, deep curvature, chu-kissaki

Kitae [forging pattern]: itame-hada covered in ji-nie, distinct and prominent midare-utsuri

Hamon [tempering pattern]: choji mixed with gunome, entirely small-patterned midare, there is ashi and yo activity, the habuchi is covered with ko-nie, and there is kinsuji, the nioi is rather thick, bright and vivid

Boshi [tip]: midare-komi, with a pointed tip and kaeri

Horimono [carvings]: bohi that taper off into the nakago on the omote side and run off the end of the tang on the ura

Habaki [collar]: double clad, gold, chased and engraved with mokko mon [stylised ‘melon’ crests’]

Nakago [tang]: o-suriage, the tip is kurijiri, the yasurime are sujikai, minute curvature (0.1 cm.), three mekugi-ana, unsigned

In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard] with sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 70.1 cm., 27⅝ in.

Sori [curvature]: 1.9 cm., ¾ in.

Saki-haba [width at the yokote]: 2.1 cm., ¾ in.

Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 2.9 cm., 1⅛ in.

Kissaki length: 3.3 cm., 1¼ in.

Nakago length: 18.8 cm., 7½ in.

Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Juyo Token [Exceptionally Important Sword], no. 599 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Heisei 8 (1996). 

The sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro has been translated as:

Yoshioka Ichimonji School of Bizen Province

Designated at the Fourteenth Tokubetsu Juyo Token [Exceptionally Important Sword] Examination

O-suriage, unsigned

The style of the late Kamakura period is exceptionally exhibited in the ji and the ha. It is an excellent work, flowery and rich in variation, particularly within the cutting edge. Moreover, it is healthy. A kirikomi on the mune at the koshimoto speaks of a meritorious deed in ancient times that has been well preserved. This sword was preserved in the storehouse of Akimoto, Lord of the Tatebayashi domain.

Blade length: two shaku, three sun and one bu.

Considered in November 2012, the Year of the Water Dragon according to 29^th term of the sexagenary cycle.

Confirmed and inscribed by Tanzan Hendo and kao [cursive monogram] .

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