Modern Japanese Katana, signed "Higo-no-kuni-jū Akamatsu Tarō Kanemitsu saku" (肥後國住赤松太郎兼光作)

A striking double-edged (moroha-zukuri) katana by Akamatsu Tarō Kanemitsu — a rising star of the modern sword world, heir to the Kimura family of Higo domain smiths. Flawless and as-made, in full black mounting

This is a powerful modern katana by Akamatsu Tarō Kanemitsu (赤松太郎兼光) of Higo Province (Kumamoto), a work in which the bloodline of a historic domain-smith family meets the refined skill of the present day. Beyond the sheer quality of the blade itself, the harmony between the black-lacquer mounting, the dignified iron guard, and the elegant hilt makes this an exceptionally satisfying piece for the collector. It is presented brand-new and in perfect as-made condition.

On the smith — Akamatsu Tarō Kanemitsu (赤松太郎兼光)

Kanemitsu, whose real name is Kimura Mitsuhiro (木村光宏), was born in 1979 in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, into the distinguished Kimura family — a lineage that served as retained swordsmiths (okakae-kaji) to the Sagara domain during the Edo period. He is the direct heir to the family's advanced forging techniques and its refined sense of beauty, cultivated over many generations. Notably, he forges from steel he smelts himself (jika-seitetsu), pursuing the ideal of the classical sword from the raw material up.

Rather than resting on the prestige of his lineage, he has devoted himself earnestly to swordmaking, and from his very first appearance at the national exhibitions he has been a consistent prize-winner. His talent has been praised as "a rare gift that may yet surpass his own father," and his ambitious works — including tachi that evoke the Fukuoka Ichimonji school of the mid-Kamakura period — have repeatedly drawn attention in the sword world. Fusing the traditional methods of his renowned family with his own sensibility, he produces works of dignified elegance and commanding presence that approach the great blades of old. He is widely regarded as one of the most promising rising stars of the contemporary sword world, and a smith whose future is watched with great expectation.

Selected career highlights:

• 1979 — Born in Yatsushiro, Higo Province (Kumamoto Prefecture)
• 1998 — Entered the workshop of his father, the swordsmith Akamatsu Tarō Kanetsugu (赤松太郎兼嗣)
• 2005 — Received official certification as a swordsmith (tōshō shōnin)
• 2004 — First entry to the Shinsaku Meitō-ten (New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition): Effort Prize (Doryoku-shō) and Newcomer Prize (Shinjin-shō)
• 2005 — Shinsaku Meitō-ten: Effort Prize (Doryoku-shō)
• Multiple further awards of the Effort Prize (Doryoku-shō) at the Shinsaku Meitō-ten
• 2010 — 1st Modern Japanese Sword & Swordsmithing Technique Exhibition: Silver Prize
• Silver Prize (3rd seat) at the Modern Japanese Sword & Swordsmithing Technique Exhibition — awarded twice
• 2013 — Collaborated with illustrator Yūji Kaida on the "Kishin no Tachi" at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum's "2-D vs. Japanese Sword" exhibition
• 2015 — Shinsaku Meitō-ten: Excellence Prize (Yūshū-shō)
• Omamori-gatana (Guardian Sword) Exhibition: All Japan Swordsmiths' Association Prize
• 2016 — 11th Omamori-gatana Exhibition: TV Setouchi Prize
• and numerous other awards and selections

Workmanship and condition

Forged by folding and forge-welding carefully selected steel again and again, the jigane shows an itame (wood-grain) pattern that is extremely finely and densely packed, yet never stiff or dry — it carries a moist, lustrous depth. Fine ji-nie (steel crystals over the ground) are scattered evenly across the surface, giving the well-ordered forging skin and superb clarity that only a smith of this pedigree can achieve. The vivid, dynamic midare temper line moves in a gunome mixed with the surging rhythm of a tōran-style (billowing-wave) pattern. Fine, brilliant nie sparkle along the temper edge, and the interior of the hamon is richly filled with intermingling activity such as ashi (legs) and yō (leaves). While it maintains a quiet dignity, under a single beam of light it releases a fierce brilliance — a "stillness and motion" contrast that draws and holds the eye.

Form

The katana is made in the dramatic double-edged moroha-zukuri form, in which both sides of the blade are sharpened and tempered, meeting in a symmetrical, spear-like point. A temper line runs along both cutting edges, and the healthy, upright figure gives the sword a bold, ceremonial presence that is uncommon among katana. At roughly 70.1 cm of cutting edge, it is a full-length, dignified blade.

The mounting (koshirae)

The scabbard is finished in kuro ishime-nuri (black stone-textured lacquer), whose subdued sheen and distinctive texture hide scratches well, offering practical durability while beautifully setting off the sharpness and serene elegance of the blade. The iron mokkō-form (quatrefoil) tsuba is worked in relief with a plum branch blossoming amid bitter cold and a round motif suggesting the moon — the rugged texture of the iron and the refined, poetic composition together giving deep flavor. The hilt is bound over black ray skin (same) with black silk in a moro-tsumami-maki wrap, achieving an outstanding grip and a taut, crisp appearance; gold-and-silver plum-blossom menuki peer out between the wraps, adding tasteful, understated brilliance to the chic ensemble. A simple, refined solid-silver Jōjō-style habaki and a black sageo that draws the whole together complete the piece — a supreme mounting that houses a pure, powerful spirit without ever diminishing Kanemitsu's dignity.

In short, this is a flawless, freshly forged double-edged katana by a talented, award-winning Higo smith carrying a proud domain-smith lineage — a rising star whose work unites tradition and modern mastery. It is an ideal acquisition for the collector seeking a healthy, beautiful, and characterful modern blade of real artistic quality, by a smith whose reputation continues to grow.

Specifications

• Type: Katana (刀) — moroha-zukuri (double-edged)
• Signature (mei): Omote — "Higo-no-kuni-jū Akamatsu Tarō Kanemitsu saku" (肥後國住赤松太郎兼光作); Ura — "Reiwa gonen jūichigatsu kichijitsu" (令和五年十一月吉日 / an auspicious day, November 2023)
• Jigane: Well-packed itame hada, forged with great refinement
• Hamon: Vivid, dynamic midare with gunome and a surging tōran-style wave movement; fine, brilliant nie along the temper edge, with abundant ashi and yō intermingling within
• Length of edge (nagasa): 70.1 cm (approx. 27.60 in)
• Curvature (sori): 1.7 cm (approx. 0.67 in)
• Width at base (motohaba): 32.7 mm (approx. 1.29 in)
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 7.3 mm (approx. 0.29 in)
• Width at tip (sakihaba): 24.3 mm (approx. 0.96 in)
• Thickness at tip (sakikasane): 5.3 mm (approx. 0.21 in)
• Peg holes (mekugi-ana): 1
• Weight: 730 g (blade only); 1,040 g (blade in mounting, without scabbard)
• Condition: Brand-new, as-made; no flaws or rust
• Mounting (koshirae): Included — black ishime-lacquer saya; iron mokkō-form tsuba with plum-and-moon design; black ray skin hilt bound in black silk (moro-tsumami-maki) with gold-and-silver plum-blossom menuki; solid-silver Jōjō-style habaki; black sageo
• Certification: NBSK Authentic Japanese Sword Certificate
• Registration No.: Kumamoto No. 58131 (熊本 第58131号)