Katana - Kiyomitsu - NBTHK Hozon Certificate - Shirasaya Koshirae - Suriage Nakago - Koto Era - Yamagata 50401

¥520,000

A piece by Kiyomitsu, a representative swordsmith of the Muromachi period's Sue-Bizen style, has arrived.

The condition is relatively good, with no rust or chips, but there is a 5 mm-wide flaw resembling Fukure-like mark about 8 cm from the kissaki on the sashiura side. The entire blade has an old polish, giving the surface a slightly dull appearance, but the jigane and hamon are clearly visible.

The jigane exhibits a well-kneaded itame grain pattern, while the hamon shows a predominantly notare pattern with occasional ko-gunome visible in places. The nakago is inscribed with the name “Kiyomitsu” in the Bishu Osafune style.

While several swordsmiths inherited the Kiyomitsu name, compared to works by smiths like Sukesada, Kiyomitsu's blades tend to be longer. The hamon also prioritized cutting performance, often featuring suguha or notare patterns. Kiyomitsu's works can be described as solid and robust, often emphasizing practicality for combat. The Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords authenticated this piece as a genuine Kiyomitsu work and, recognizing its high value for preservation for future generations, issued a Hozon certification appraisal in December 2018.

The habaki consists of two pieces, gold and silver, featuring the family crest of Maruni Mitsuuroko (three scales within a circle). The Mitsuuroko crest is famously associated with the Hojo clan, suggesting this sword may have been passed down through generations of powerful daimyo.

We offer this practical, authentic sword with its appraisal certificate at a very reasonable price. Why not make it your family heirloom today?

  • Blade length: 68.8 cm
  • Curvature: 2.1 cm
  • Number of Mekugi hole: 2
  • Sakihaba: 23.0 mm
  • Sakikasane: 4.8 mm
  • Motohaba: 31.6 mm
  • Motokasane: 6.7 mm
  • Signature: Bishu Osafune Kiyomitsu(front)
  • Era: Koto
  • Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
  • Jigane: Itame
  • Hamon: Notare
  • Boshi: Massugu Haitte Omaru ni Kaeru
  • Weight: 630 g(blade only)
  • Nakago: Suriage
  • Koshirae: Shirasaya
  • Original Registration No.: Yamagata 50401

Please contact us if the katana you are looking for is not listed here.