Modern Japanese Katana, signed "Nōshū-jū Masaya saku" (濃州住正也作)

A flamboyant gunome-midare blade by the prize-winning Mino smith Masaya — brand-new and flawless, in full mounting

This is a superbly forged modern katana by Masaya (正也), a rising swordsmith working in the great blade-making tradition of Mino (Gifu Prefecture). Made in the spring of 2022 and still in as-new condition, the blade combines the sure, disciplined forging technique inherited from his master's workshop with the spark of a younger talent's own imagination. It is a genuine masterpiece of contemporary sword-making — a vivid, energetic blade that shows exactly why Masaya has already begun to attract attention at the national exhibitions.

Workmanship and condition

The jigane is a standing, well-worked itame (wood-grain) pattern mixed with mokume (burl), forged so thoroughly that the grain is exceptionally clear and lustrous across the entire surface. Over this ground the smith has tempered a flamboyant gunome-midare (undulating irregular pattern) in which the round heads fall with an even, rhythmic beauty, mixed with ko-chōji (small clove-shaped) elements and sharp, togari-like peaks. The temper line is filled with abundant ashi and yō (activity reaching toward and into the edge), and it glitters with bright, clear nie and nioi crystals. The bōshi (tip temper) is midare-komi, turning back with a sharp, well-defined point. The blade is brand-new as-made, with no flaws, no rust, and no fatigue of any kind.

Form

The katana is of standard shinogi-zukuri form with an iori-mune ridged back. It carries a healthy, elegant curvature and a well-balanced tip. A bō-hi (single wide groove) is carved into both faces of the blade, lightening it in the hand and enhancing the visual flow of the hamon. At roughly 75.6 cm (about 2 shaku 5 sun) of cutting edge, it is a full-length, practical katana with a dignified, confident presence.

On the smith — Masaya (正也)

Masaya, whose real name is Yoshida Masaya (吉田政也), forges in Mino Province (Gifu Prefecture), one of the historic heartlands of Japanese sword production. He studied under the second-generation Yoshida Masaaki (二代 吉田正明), absorbing a rigorous, orthodox approach to forging and tempering. His skill has been recognized at the highest level of the modern sword world: at the 2024 NBTHK Modern Swords and Fittings Exhibition (現代刀職展) he was awarded the Kanzan Prize (寒山賞) in the tantō/ken division. He is also notable for opening his workshop to foreign apprentices, helping to carry the craft of the Japanese sword to a new generation both in Japan and abroad.

The koshirae (mounting)

The katana comes in a complete, ready-to-display mounting. The hilt (tsuka) is wrapped in brown leather; the guard (tsuba) is an iron piece with an openwork sasa-take (bamboo-grass) motif; the scabbard (saya) is finished in black lacquer; and it is fitted with a green sageo (cord). The mounting is tasteful and understated, letting the vivid blade take center stage.

In short, this is a flawless, freshly forged katana by a talented, award-winning Mino smith — a work that unites the certainty of a proven school with the freshness of a young master's vision. It is an ideal piece for the collector seeking a beautiful, healthy modern blade of real artistic quality, ready to appreciate and enjoy.

Specifications

• Type: Katana (刀)
• Signature (mei): Omote — "Nōshū-jū Masaya saku" (濃州住正也作); Ura — "Reiwa yonen haru" (令和四年春 / Spring 2022)
• Length of edge (nagasa): 75.6 cm (approx. 29.76 in / approx. 2 shaku 5 sun)
• Curvature (sori): 1.6 cm (approx. 0.63 in)
• Width at base (motohaba): 34.3 mm (approx. 1.35 in)
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 7.6 mm (approx. 0.30 in)
• Width at tip (sakihaba): 24.2 mm (approx. 0.95 in)
• Thickness at tip (sakikasane): 6.0 mm (approx. 0.24 in)
• Peg holes (mekugi-ana): 1
• Weight: 890 g (blade only); 1,180 g (blade in mounting, without scabbard)
• Construction: Shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune; bō-hi on both faces
• Condition: Brand-new, as-made; no flaws or rust
• Mounting (koshirae): Brown leather-wrapped tsuka; iron sasa-take openwork tsuba; black-lacquer saya; green sageo
• Certification: None (Japanese Firearms and Swords Registration only)
• Registration No.: Gifu No. 087382 (岐阜 第087382号)