{"product_id":"authentic-japanese-katana-katana-masaya-nbsk-shinsakuto-certificate-tozando","title":"Authentic Japanese Sword - Katana - Masaya - NBSK Shinsakuto Certificate | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eModern Japanese Katana, signed \"Nōshū-jū Masaya saku\" (濃州住正也作)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA flamboyant gunome-midare blade by the prize-winning Mino smith Masaya — brand-new and flawless, in full mounting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a superbly forged modern katana by \u003cstrong\u003eMasaya (正也)\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is a standing, well-worked \u003cem\u003eitame\u003c\/em\u003e (wood-grain) pattern mixed with \u003cem\u003emokume\u003c\/em\u003e (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 \u003cem\u003egunome-midare\u003c\/em\u003e (undulating irregular pattern) in which the round heads fall with an even, rhythmic beauty, mixed with \u003cem\u003eko-chōji\u003c\/em\u003e (small clove-shaped) elements and sharp, \u003cem\u003etogari\u003c\/em\u003e-like peaks. The temper line is filled with abundant \u003cem\u003eashi\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eyō\u003c\/em\u003e (activity reaching toward and into the edge), and it glitters with bright, clear \u003cem\u003enie\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003enioi\u003c\/em\u003e crystals. The \u003cem\u003ebōshi\u003c\/em\u003e (tip temper) is \u003cem\u003emidare-komi\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe katana is of standard \u003cem\u003eshinogi-zukuri\u003c\/em\u003e form with an \u003cem\u003eiori-mune\u003c\/em\u003e ridged back. It carries a healthy, elegant curvature and a well-balanced tip. A \u003cem\u003ebō-hi\u003c\/em\u003e (single wide groove) is carved into both faces of the blade, lightening it in the hand and enhancing the visual flow of the \u003cem\u003ehamon\u003c\/em\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOn the smith — Masaya (正也)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMasaya, whose real name is \u003cstrong\u003eYoshida Masaya (吉田政也)\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003e2024 NBTHK Modern Swords and Fittings Exhibition (現代刀職展)\u003c\/strong\u003e he was awarded the \u003cstrong\u003eKanzan Prize (寒山賞)\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe koshirae (mounting)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe katana comes in a complete, ready-to-display mounting. The hilt (\u003cem\u003etsuka\u003c\/em\u003e) is wrapped in brown leather; the guard (\u003cem\u003etsuba\u003c\/em\u003e) is an iron piece with an openwork \u003cem\u003esasa-take\u003c\/em\u003e (bamboo-grass) motif; the scabbard (\u003cem\u003esaya\u003c\/em\u003e) is finished in black lacquer; and it is fitted with a green \u003cem\u003esageo\u003c\/em\u003e (cord). The mounting is tasteful and understated, letting the vivid blade take center stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Katana (刀)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e Omote — \"Nōshū-jū Masaya saku\" (濃州住正也作); Ura — \"Reiwa yonen haru\" (令和四年春 \/ Spring 2022)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength of edge (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 75.6 cm (approx. 29.76 in \/ approx. 2 shaku 5 sun)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.6 cm (approx. 0.63 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 34.3 mm (approx. 1.35 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.6 mm (approx. 0.30 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at tip (sakihaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 24.2 mm (approx. 0.95 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at tip (sakikasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0 mm (approx. 0.24 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeg holes (mekugi-ana):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 890 g (blade only); 1,180 g (blade in mounting, without scabbard)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune; bō-hi on both faces\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brand-new, as-made; no flaws or rust\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting (koshirae):\u003c\/strong\u003e Brown leather-wrapped tsuka; iron sasa-take openwork tsuba; black-lacquer saya; green sageo\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e None (Japanese Firearms and Swords Registration only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegistration No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gifu No. 087382 (岐阜 第087382号)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53752763548011,"sku":"561-KATANA-Gifu087382","price":1450000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/gifu087382_masaya_1.jpg?v=1787298518","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-japanese-katana-katana-masaya-nbsk-shinsakuto-certificate-tozando","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}