Modern Japanese Tachi, Signed "Oki-no-kuni-jū Okimitsu saku" (隠岐国住沖光作) — A Supremely Sound, 1 kg Masterwork from the Mature Prime of a Second-Generation Military Swordsmith

An imposingly solid blade weighing a full 1,000 g, dated Shōwa 44 (1969), its lively notare-based hamon and honest, powerful jigane the work of Okimitsu (2nd generation, real name Hara Hiroshi) in his 40s, at the height of his artistic command

We are pleased to present a katana dated Shōwa 44 (1969) by Okimitsu (2nd generation, real name Hara Hiroshi), heir to the celebrated Oki Province smithing name whose blades earned enormous trust during the Shōwa military-sword period for their outstanding sharpness and toughness. Weighing a full 1,000 g (1 kg) for the blade alone, this is an exceptionally sound and powerful work from the smith's mature period in his 40s, when his technical skill and expressive command were approaching their peak. Its dense, honest forging and vividly animated hamon combine practical, battle-ready beauty with genuine artistic value in equal measure.

On the smith — Okimitsu (隠岐国住沖光)

Okimitsu (2nd generation, real name Hara Hiroshi) inherited a celebrated swordsmithing name active on Nishinoshima, in the Oki district of Shimane Prefecture. The Okimitsu name was recognized for its army-commissioned swordsmiths (rikugun juyo tōkō), repeatedly placing among the top ranks at numerous exhibitions, including the Army Military Sword Technique Encouragement Exhibition, and was counted among the most accomplished smithing lines of the Shōwa military-sword period. Blades bearing this name, carefully forged from select Yasugi steel, combined remarkable toughness with a cutting sharpness so extreme it was described as ferocious, earning the deep trust of soldiers, test-cutters, and sword enthusiasts of the day. This particular blade, forged in Shōwa 44 (1969) when the second-generation Okimitsu was in his 40s, represents his technique and artistry at their most fully matured.

Workmanship and condition

The jigane is a finely and meticulously packed itame (wood-grain pattern), its steel forging exceptionally sound and displaying a beautiful, clear, almost transparent surface. Despite the strength of the forging, it never becomes coarse, and a calm, refined beauty of the jigane stands out prominently. The hamon is a gunome (irregular clove-shaped pattern) rich in undulation, mixed with the flamboyant heads of chōji (clove-shaped motifs); the temper edge is bright and clear, with nie and nioi settling deep within the wave-like irregularity. In places, katagochi-gunome (shoulder-dropping gunome) can also be seen, giving the work a dynamic finish. Within the hamon, fine activity such as ashi and yō appears abundantly, and the bōshi (tip temper) rolls into a midare-komi and turns back firmly — an accomplished work brimming with vitality, in which calm and intensity coexist.

Form

This shinogi-zukuri blade shows a moderate curve and a powerful, well-balanced silhouette, with a sound, substantial form in both mihaba (width) and kasane (thickness). At a full 1 kg (1,000 g) for the blade alone, it carries an overwhelming heft — the moment it is taken in hand, its weighty, commanding presence is immediately apparent. The nakago (tang) is ubu (unaltered) and in excellent condition, its sujichigai (diagonal cross-hatch) filing marks still crisp, with the signature "Oki-no-kuni-jū Okimitsu saku" (隠岐国住沖光作) and the reverse date "Shōwa yonjūyo-nen ichigatsu-hi" (昭和四十四年一月日 / a day in January, Shōwa 44 / 1969) cut firmly and with great vigor by chisel.

The mounting (shirasaya)

The blade is housed in a shirasaya (plain wood resting scabbard) in excellent condition. Free of extraneous decoration, the shirasaya is made purely to protect and preserve the blade's soundness and beauty in their finest state, offering an ideal means of passing this fine blade on to future generations.

A supremely sound masterwork left to us by Okimitsu of Oki Province, one of the foremost makers of true fighting swords. With the weighty, 1 kg heft felt the instant it is taken in hand and its powerful form, this blade carries an imposing presence that seems to choose its owner. A bold, superlative work in which practical, battle-ready beauty and genuine artistic value meet in perfect balance.

Specifications

• Type: Tachi (太刀), shinogi-zukuri; ubu, zaimei (signed); Shōwa era (1969)
• Smith: Okimitsu (沖光, 2nd generation), real name Hara Hiroshi (原寛); Nishinoshima, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture; army-commissioned swordsmith (陸軍受命刀工)
• Signature (mei): Front: "Oki-no-kuni-jū Okimitsu saku" (隠岐国住沖光作); Back: "Shōwa yonjūyo-nen ichigatsu-hi" (昭和四十四年一月日 / a day in January, Shōwa 44 / 1969)
• Jigane: Densely packed itame with a flowing quality in places, fine orderly ji-nie
• Hamon: Notare-based with gunome and chōji-gokoro, ko-nie-deki, rich ashi/yō and tama activity
• Length of edge (nagasa): 75.8 cm (approx. 29.84 in / approx. 2 shaku 5 sun)
• Curvature (sori): 2.6 cm (approx. 1.02 in)
• Width at base (motohaba): 34.8 mm (approx. 1.37 in)
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 9.1 mm (approx. 0.36 in)
• Width at tip (sakihaba): 22.1 mm (approx. 0.87 in)
• Thickness at tip (sakikasane): 6.9 mm (approx. 0.27 in)
• Weight (blade only): 1,000 g
• Condition: Nakago ubu, excellent original condition; blade freshly and expertly polished
• Mounting (koshirae): Shirasaya, in excellent preserved condition
• Registration No.: Shimane No. 17728 (島根 第17728号)