{"product_id":"authentic-japanese-sword-katana-kanemitsu-nbsk-shinsakuto-certificate-tozando","title":"Authentic Japanese Sword - Katana - Kanemitsu - NBSK Shinsakuto Certificate | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eModern Japanese Katana, signed \"Higo-no-kuni-jū Akamatsu Tarō Kanemitsu saku\" (肥後國住赤松太郎兼光作)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA 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\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a powerful modern katana by \u003cstrong\u003eAkamatsu Tarō Kanemitsu (赤松太郎兼光)\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOn the smith — Akamatsu Tarō Kanemitsu (赤松太郎兼光)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKanemitsu, whose real name is \u003cstrong\u003eKimura Mitsuhiro (木村光宏)\u003c\/strong\u003e, was born in 1979 in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, into the distinguished Kimura family — a lineage that served as retained swordsmiths (\u003cem\u003eokakae-kaji\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 (\u003cem\u003ejika-seitetsu\u003c\/em\u003e), pursuing the ideal of the classical sword from the raw material up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRather 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelected career highlights:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1979 — Born in Yatsushiro, Higo Province (Kumamoto Prefecture)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e1998 — Entered the workshop of his father, the swordsmith Akamatsu Tarō Kanetsugu (赤松太郎兼嗣)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2005 — Received official certification as a swordsmith (\u003cem\u003etōshō shōnin\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2004 — First entry to the Shinsaku Meitō-ten (New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition): Effort Prize (Doryoku-shō) and Newcomer Prize (Shinjin-shō)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2005 — Shinsaku Meitō-ten: Effort Prize (Doryoku-shō)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMultiple further awards of the Effort Prize (Doryoku-shō) at the Shinsaku Meitō-ten\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2010 — 1st Modern Japanese Sword \u0026amp; Swordsmithing Technique Exhibition: Silver Prize\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSilver Prize (3rd seat) at the Modern Japanese Sword \u0026amp; Swordsmithing Technique Exhibition — awarded twice\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2013 — Collaborated with illustrator Yūji Kaida on the \"Kishin no Tachi\" at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum's \"2-D vs. Japanese Sword\" exhibition\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2015 — Shinsaku Meitō-ten: Excellence Prize (Yūshū-shō)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOmamori-gatana (Guardian Sword) Exhibition: All Japan Swordsmiths' Association Prize\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e2016 — 11th Omamori-gatana Exhibition: TV Setouchi Prize\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eand numerous other awards and selections\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForged by folding and forge-welding carefully selected steel again and again, the \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e shows an \u003cem\u003eitame\u003c\/em\u003e (wood-grain) pattern that is extremely finely and densely packed, yet never stiff or dry — it carries a moist, lustrous depth. Fine \u003cem\u003eji-nie\u003c\/em\u003e (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 \u003cem\u003emidare\u003c\/em\u003e temper line moves in a \u003cem\u003egunome\u003c\/em\u003e mixed with the surging rhythm of a \u003cem\u003etōran\u003c\/em\u003e-style (billowing-wave) pattern. Fine, brilliant \u003cem\u003enie\u003c\/em\u003e sparkle along the temper edge, and the interior of the hamon is richly filled with intermingling activity such as \u003cem\u003eashi\u003c\/em\u003e (legs) and \u003cem\u003eyō\u003c\/em\u003e (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe katana is made in the dramatic double-edged \u003cem\u003emoroha-zukuri\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe mounting (koshirae)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is finished in \u003cem\u003ekuro ishime-nuri\u003c\/em\u003e (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 \u003cem\u003emokkō\u003c\/em\u003e-form (quatrefoil) \u003cem\u003etsuba\u003c\/em\u003e 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 (\u003cem\u003esame\u003c\/em\u003e) with black silk in a \u003cem\u003emoro-tsumami-maki\u003c\/em\u003e wrap, achieving an outstanding grip and a taut, crisp appearance; gold-and-silver plum-blossom \u003cem\u003emenuki\u003c\/em\u003e peer out between the wraps, adding tasteful, understated brilliance to the chic ensemble. A simple, refined solid-silver \u003cem\u003eJōjō\u003c\/em\u003e-style \u003cem\u003ehabaki\u003c\/em\u003e and a black \u003cem\u003esageo\u003c\/em\u003e that draws the whole together complete the piece — a supreme mounting that houses a pure, powerful spirit without ever diminishing Kanemitsu's dignity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Katana (刀) — moroha-zukuri (double-edged)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e 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)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-packed itame hada, forged with great refinement\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength of edge (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 70.1 cm (approx. 27.60 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.7 cm (approx. 0.67 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 32.7 mm (approx. 1.29 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.3 mm (approx. 0.29 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at tip (sakihaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 24.3 mm (approx. 0.96 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at tip (sakikasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.3 mm (approx. 0.21 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 730 g (blade only); 1,040 g (blade in mounting, without scabbard)\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 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\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 Kumamoto No. 58131 (熊本 第58131号)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53758746722667,"sku":"531-ST999-Kumamoto58131","price":1600000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/kumamoto58131_kanemitsu_1.jpg?v=1787551350","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-japanese-sword-katana-kanemitsu-nbsk-shinsakuto-certificate-tozando","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}