Japanese Katana by the contemporary smith Kazuyoshi (和吉) of Rikuchū (Miyako, Iwate), signed and dated Reiwa 4 (October 2022) — modern (gendaitō) — a robust blade with a bō-hi — complete with a dragonfly-themed koshirae

Signed-and-dated katana by Kazuyoshi (real name Tsuji Kazuhiro), pupil of the master Yasumoto Yoshimitsu · densely forged itame with clear ko-nie · a gentle notare-with-gunome temper, bright and dynamic · in a refined leather-wrapped mounting with a dragonfly ("victory insect") theme · brand-new, as-made

A sword in which the assured traditional technique of the Yasumoto Yoshimitsu school and a keen modern skill are fused. Beyond the fine quality of the blade — set off by a splendid, well-balanced bō-hi — the harmony with its mounting is beautiful: a tsuba in a dragonfly design and a refined leather-wrapped hilt. It is a highly satisfying piece for both practical use and appreciation.

The smith — Wakichi

Wakichi (real name Tsuji Kazuhiro), based in Miyako in Rikuchū province (present-day Iwate), trained rigorously under the master smith Yasumoto Yoshimitsu, legitimately inheriting the traditional forging technique carried down from the old-sword (kotō) period and its dignified formative beauty. Not content to rest on the skill handed down from his teacher, he has devoted himself earnestly to swordmaking; his outstanding ability is highly regarded in the modern sword world, and he has built a firm record of numerous selections and awards at the Shinsaku Meitō-ten (New Swords Exhibition) and other exhibitions. Fusing the sure traditional methods of the Yasumoto school with his own high aesthetic, he continues to produce works of a dignity and overwhelming presence that approach the classic masterpieces of the Bizen and Sōshū traditions — one of the representative masters of the contemporary sword world.

Workmanship and condition

The jigane is a densely forged itame, smoothly packed, showing a beautiful skin in which the quality of the forging and the clarity of the steel stand out. Clear ko-nie gather evenly across the whole surface, giving a deep, transparent luster and a sturdy beauty as the light shifts. The hamon is a fine midare: a leisurely notare mixed with gunome, with fine ko-nie gathering bright and clear along the temper edge. Along the rising and falling line of the temper, nie and nioi are densely worked, showing a dynamic, gorgeous expression under the light — a powerful finish, executed with Wakichi's high hardening skill, that recalls the traditions of Sōshū-den and Bizen-den. As a brand-new work, fresh from the forge, it is in perfect, as-made condition, with no flaw or rust of any kind.

The koshirae

A mounting built on the theme of the dragonfly (tonbo), an emblem of martial honor, pursuing both refined aesthetics and practical function. Because the dragonfly only ever advances and never retreats, it was called the "victory insect" (katsumushi) and beloved of the samurai as a symbol of never turning back. A black stone-grain lacquer (kuro-ishime-nuri) saya gives off a quiet dignity, while a tsuba arranged with dragonflies and wave crests adds a sense of movement. The hilt — black same (ray skin) bound in a moro-tsumami-maki wrap with brown cowhide backing cord — offers an excellent grip, and gold dragonfly menuki glint elegantly between the wraps. With a solid-silver habaki and a gold-brown sageo in harmony, it is a supreme piece in which traditional craft and dignified bearing are fused.

A pristine, freshly made katana by Wakichi of Rikuchū — its densely forged itame ground and bright, dynamic notare-gunome temper carried on a robust blade with a bō-hi, and completed by a handsome dragonfly-themed koshirae. A first-rank modern work, equally rewarding to wield and to appreciate, ready to enjoy exactly as it left the forge.

Specifications

• Type: Katana (shinogi-zukuri), with a bō-hi; modern (gendaitō)
• Signature (mei): front — Rikuchū no Kuni Miyako-jū Wakichi kore o tsukuru (陸中国宮古住和吉作之); reverse — Reiwa mizunoe-tora year, kannazuki (10th month), a lucky day (令和壬寅歳神無月吉日, October 2022)
• Certification: none (registration only)
• Smith: Wakichi (real name Tsuji Kazuhiro) — Miyako, Rikuchū (Iwate); pupil of Yasumoto Yoshimitsu
• Jigane: densely forged, smoothly packed itame with clear ko-nie
• Hamon: leisurely notare mixed with gunome; bright, clear ko-nie
• Blade length (nagasa): 74.6 cm / 29.37 in (about 2 shaku 4 sun 6 bu)
• Curvature (sori): 1.8 cm
• Width at base (motohaba): 32.7 mm
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 8 mm
• Width at tip (sakihaba): 21.3 mm
• Thickness at tip (sakikasane): 6 mm
• Peg-holes (mekugi-ana): 1
• Weight (blade only): 800 g
• Weight (without scabbard): 1,130 g
• Condition: brand-new, as-made; no flaws or rust
• Mounting: full koshirae — black stone-grain lacquer (kuro-ishime) saya, iron tsuba with dragonfly-and-wave design, black same hilt in moro-tsumami-maki with brown cowhide cord, gold dragonfly menuki, solid-silver habaki, gold-brown sageo
• Torokushō (Japanese registration) No.: Iwate 34323