Katana - Sukesada - NBTHK Hozon Certificate - Uchigatana Koshirae - Ubu Nakago - Koto Era - Yamaguchi 22527

This antique katana, made in the late Muromachi period, is suitable for iaido and batto and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

The blade shows overall signs of old polishing but has no rust or chips. Both sides of the blade feature relatively large flaws. On the sashiomote side, there is a forging flaw about 8mm long on the shinogi, 22cm from the munemachi. On the sashiura side, there is a scratch-like flaw about 3cm long in the hamon area, approximately 25cm from the hamachi. While these flaws slightly detract from the blade's aesthetic beauty, they have absolutely no impact on its practical use.

The jigane shows a well-kneaded itame pattern with a notare-style utsu-ri, characteristic of Bizen blades. The hamon features a fine suguha pattern with frequent ko-choji, along with yo and ashi patterns. The nakago is inscribed with the name “Sukesada.”

Sukesada was a swordsmith of the Osafune school, which flourished in Bizen Province (present-day southeastern Okayama Prefecture). He was active from the late Kamakura period to the mid-Muromachi period. While another swordsmith named Sukesada (using different kanji characters but sharing the same pronunciation) was active in Bizen, this Sukesada is considered the founder of his own school, possibly the son or representative of the earlier Sukesada. Works by this particular Sukesada school are scarce and highly prized due to their rarity.

In December 2024, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords authenticated this piece as a genuine Sukesada katana and issued its certificate of appraisal.

The koshirae is an elegant period-style uchigatana, featuring a black silk tsukaito wrapped in the hineri-maki style. This makes it ideal for iaido and batto. The scabbard's surface shows signs of age-related wear, which only enhances its period atmosphere. This is an exceptionally rare Sukesada work, yet we are offering it at a special bargain price due to a flaw on the blade.

Just as ancient samurai wielded sharp Bizen blades, you too can enjoy practicing iaido and batto with this katana. Alternatively, you can contemplate the history of the warrior class while appreciating the marks likely left from actual battlefield use. This blade offers many ways to enjoy it.

• Blade length: 71.2 cm
• Curvature: 1.9 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 1
• Sakihaba: 21.4 mm
• Sakikasane: 3.4 mm
• Motohaba: 30.9 mm
• Motokasane: 5.9 mm
• Signature: Sukesada(front)
• Era: Koto
• Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jigane: Itame
• Hamon: Suguha
• Boshi: Notarete Haitte Komaru ni Kaeru
• Weight: 670 g(blade only)/980 g(without Saya)
• Nakago: Ubu
  
• Koshirae: Black silk wrapped Tsuka with Benitame-lacquered Saya
• Original Registration No.: Yamaguchi 22527
• Certificate: NBTHK Hozon

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