Modern Japanese Tachi(Odachi), Signed "Bicchū-no-kuni-jū Yoshimasa saku" (備中國住慶正作) — A Powerful 102.6 cm Blade Reviving the Bold Spirit of the Nanboku-chō Era

A dynamic gunome-chōji hamon surging nearly to the shinogi-suji, rich ji-nie, and a meticulously finished double sayagata habaki, from Yoshimasa — a rising talent devoted to the aesthetics of the 14th-century master Osafune Chōgi

We are pleased to present a striking 102.6 cm tachi by Yoshimasa (real name: Tomioka Keiichirō), a rising talent in the contemporary sword world and repeat winner of the Excellence Award and Special Award at the Gendai Tōshoku-ten (Contemporary Sword Craft Exhibition). Forged in devoted homage to the aesthetics of Osafune Chōgi, the great 14th-century smith of the Osafune school, this blade carries a dynamic hamon that surges nearly to the shinogi-suji (ridgeline), a richly textured ji-nie, and a meticulously finished nijū-habaki (double blade collar) decorated in the traditional sayagata pattern — a piece combining a warrior's dignity with craftsmanship of the highest order, capable of elevating any collection to a new level and becoming a treasure for a lifetime.

On the smith — Yoshimasa (慶正)

Yoshimasa, real name Tomioka Keiichirō, is a versatile and gifted swordsmith who holds a deep reverence for Osafune Chōgi, the celebrated 14th-century smith of the Osafune school. "What draws me most to Chōgi," he has said, "is his approach to swordmaking. While honoring the traditions of the Bizen school, he freely incorporated techniques and design elements from the Sōshū tradition and others, fusing them to create something entirely new. I am deeply moved by his willingness to change and adapt flexibly, unbound by the styles of the past." Known for his large, imposing blades, Yoshimasa's work channels every element toward emphasizing that same commanding presence; his favored hamon, the gunome-chōji (irregular clove-shaped pattern), surges and coils like wild waves, evoking a raging sea. Though still an emerging talent, he has already placed among the top ranks at numerous exhibitions, including winning the Newcomer's Award at the 2020 NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai) New Sword Exhibition and the 2021 Omamori-gatana Exhibition.

Selected career highlights:

• 2014: Entered apprenticeship under the mukansa (exhibition-exempt) master Matsuba Kunimasa
• 2020: "Gendai Tōshoku-ten" (Contemporary Sword Craft Exhibition), forging category — Excellence Award and Newcomer's Award
• 2021: "15th Omamori-gatana Exhibition" — Newcomer's Award; 4th place in the blade category; 3rd place and Special Award in the mounting category
• 2021: "Gendai Tōshoku-ten" — Effort Award
• 2023: "Gendai Tōshoku-ten" — Special Award
• 2024: "Gendai Tōshoku-ten" — Excellence Award (2nd place)

Workmanship and condition

This ōdachi-scale blade, with a form evocative of the Nanboku-chō period, is tempered with an extremely complex hamon over an itame (wood-grain) jigane. Chōji (clove-shaped motifs), ō-chōji (large chōji), and koshi-no-hiraita gunome (gunome with a flared base) unfold in a regular yet powerfully undulating rhythm, the peaks of the hamon reaching a height that approaches the shinogi-suji (ridgeline). The jigane carries abundant ji-nie, and nie gathers thickly in the valleys of the hamon. Within the hamon, linear activity such as sunagashi (sand-streak lines) and kinsuji (gold-thread lines) can be seen throughout, and the tip temper (bōshi) takes the form of a midare-komi (irregular roll-back).

The mounting

The blade is accompanied by a shirasaya (plain wood resting scabbard) made of hō (magnolia) wood, and a nijū-habaki (double-layer blade collar) finished in gold and shakudō (a copper-gold alloy), decorated with the traditional sayagata pattern. The blade, habaki, and saya are all the crystallization of consummate craftsmanship, and all are in excellent condition.

Specifications

• Type: Tachi (太刀), shinogi-zukuri; ubu, zaimei (signed); Reiwa era (shinsakutō, 2024)
• Smith: Yoshimasa (慶正), real name Tomioka Keiichirō (冨岡慶一郎); Bicchū Province (Okayama); student of the mukansa master Matsuba Kunimasa
• Signature (mei): Front: "Bicchū-no-kuni-jū Yoshimasa saku" (備中國住慶正作); Back: "Reiwa rokunen haru kichijitsu" (令和六年春吉日 / an auspicious day in spring, Reiwa 6 / 2024)
• Jigane: Itame with abundant ji-nie, thick nie gathering in the valleys of the hamon
• Hamon: Dynamic gunome-chōji with ō-chōji and koshi-no-hiraita gunome reaching near the shinogi-suji; sunagashi and kinsuji activity
• Length of edge (nagasa): 102.6 cm (approx. 40.39 in / approx. 3 shaku 3 sun 9 bu)
• Curvature (sori): 3.2 cm (approx. 1.26 in)
• Width at base (motohaba): 32 mm (approx. 1.26 in)
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 7.3 mm (approx. 0.29 in)
• Width at tip (sakihaba): 23.7 mm (approx. 0.93 in)
• Thickness at tip (sakikasane): 5.4 mm (approx. 0.21 in)
• Peg holes (mekugi-ana): 1
• Weight (blade only): 960 g
• Weight (blade in mounting, without scabbard): 1,210 g
• Condition: Brand-new, as-forged; no flaws or rust
• Accessories: Shirasaya (hō wood), nijū-habaki in gold and shakudō with sayagata pattern
• Registration No.: Kyoto No. 61847 (京都 第61847号)