Link: Gusoku signed Ietada (家忠), Saotomé School — Early Edo Period, Tokubetsu Kichō Shiryō - Supein Nihonto

Early Edo Period (c. 1600–1650) · Complete Gusoku, Kabuto Signed by the Saotomé School

A complete gusoku from the early Edo period, with the kabuto signed 家忠 (Ietada), a name documented among the hereditary armorers of the Saotomé School — founded by Saotomé Nobuyasu, a direct disciple of Myōchin Nobuie. Certified Tokubetsu Kichō Shiryō by the Nihon Katchū Bugu Kenkyū Hozonkai (27 August 2023), and accompanied by a genealogical scroll dated Hōreki 6 (1756) tracing the school's lineage from the semi-legendary Takenouchi no Sukune down to Myōchin Nobuie himself.

Kabuto

Riveted hoshi-bachi construction. Gilt-brass kuwagata mounted at the front, black rō-iro lacquered mabezashi with a gold makie dragon, and a repoussé shishi maedate with individually worked mane curls and gilt fangs. Shikoro laced in kon-ito (indigo silk).

Menpō

Iron, finished in black lacquer, with natural-hair moustache and vermilion-lacquered lips. Jaw remains articulated.

Dō

Nimai-dō construction, iron kozane finished in beaten gold leaf (kinpaku-oshi), laced throughout in kebiki-odoshi with kon-ito.

Sode, Kote, Haidate, Suneate

All matching in lacquer, lacing colour and construction. The kote and haidate show floral-patterned textile reinforcement in areas of natural wear — consistent with period repair rather than later intervention.

Mon

A three-lobed Kashiwa-type crest, likely Musubi-gashiwa, on the fukigaeshi. Compatible with the Hitachi/Saotomé context but not treated as conclusive attribution to a specific clan without further specialist review.

Documentation

• Appraisal: Tokubetsu Kichō Shiryō (特別貴重資料) — 3rd of 5 tiers, issued by the Nihon Katchū Bugu Kenkyū Hozonkai (日本甲冑武具研究保存会), 27 August 2023.
• Genealogical scroll: dated Hōreki 6 (1756), recording the Saotomé lineage through to Myōchin Nobuie (Sakon no Shōgen, Tenbun era). Presented as a keifu documenting the school's hereditary legitimacy, not as a manufacturing certificate for this specific piece — but it independently corroborates the historical use of the Ietada name within the school.

Specifications

• Classification: Complete gusoku
• School: Saotomé (早乙女)
• Signature: Ietada (家忠), on the kabuto bowl
• Period: Early Edo, c. 1600–1650
• Dō type: Nimai-dō, kinpaku-oshi kozane
• Lacing: Kon-ito, kebiki-odoshi
• Certificate: Tokubetsu Kichō Shiryō, Nihon Katchū Bugu Kenkyū Hozonkai, 27 Aug 2023
• Additional documentation: Genealogical scroll, Hōreki 6 (1756)

Link: Katana signed Ōshū Uda-gun Nakamura-jū Kunimasa - NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken - Supein Nihonto

Edo Period (circa Genroku, 1688–1704) · Signed Katana with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

A signed katana by Kunimasa, working under the residence-mei Ōshū Uda-gun Nakamura-jū (奥州宇多郡中村住国正), accompanied by an official NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken certificate, its original torokusho registration, and a companion shirasaya.

Historical Context

The residence given in the mei, Uda-gun Nakamura in Ōshū, corresponds to present-day Sōma, Fukushima Prefecture — seat of the Sōma-Nakamura domain (相馬中村藩) and its castle, held continuously by the Sōma clan from the early Kamakura period through to the Meiji Restoration. I haven't been able to confirm further biographical detail on this particular Kunimasa beyond the mei and the Kanteisho's placement of the work at circa Genroku, so I'll leave that open rather than guess — happy to hear from anyone who has more on this line.

The Blade (Tōshin)

Shinogi-zukuri katana with a long nagasa of 73.0 cm and a well-balanced, elegant sugata. The hamon is a continuous, restrained line with gentle undulation — reading as suguha with a soft notare tendency, consistent along the edge. The nakago carries an aged dark patina and the full residence-and-name mei, pierced with three mekugi-ana matching the torokusho record.

The Koshirae

Complete koshirae in clean, classical taste: black-lacquer saya, black tsuka-ito over white samegawa with gilt menuki partially visible beneath the wrap. The fuchi-kashira are carved in high relief with a flowing wave/scroll motif in a warm reddish tone. The tsuba is iron, dark-toned and understated. A plain wooden shirasaya is included for storage and preservation.

Documentation

• Kanteisho (NBTHK): Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken — attribution to Kunimasa, placed circa Genroku era, residence Nakamura, Uda-gun, Ōshū. Nagasa recorded as 2 shaku 4 sun 1 bu (slightly shorter), approx. 73.0 cm.
• Torokusho: Katana, nagasa 73.0 cm, sori 1.5 cm, 3 mekugi-ana, mei Ōshū Uda-gun Nakamura-jū Kunimasa. (registration date to confirm — let me know the exact date and I'll add it)

Specifications (寸法)

• Classification: Katana 刀
• Mei: Ōshū Uda-gun Nakamura-jū Kunimasa
• Period: Edo, circa Genroku (1688–1704)
• Nagasa: 73.0 cm
• Sori: 1.5 cm
• Mekugi-ana: 3
• Hamon: Suguha with soft notare tendency
• Koshirae: Black lacquer saya, iron tsuba, wave/scroll fuchi-kashira
• Shirasaya: Included
• Certificate: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken

Link: NBTHK Hozon Katana by Kanenori - Muromachi Mino Seki - Supein Nihonto

Muromachi Period · Certified Japanese Katana with Koshirae and Shirasaya

A finely mounted Japanese katana attributed to Kanenori 兼則 of the Mino Seki tradition, accompanied by an official NBTHK Hozon Tōken certificate, its original Japanese registration license and a companion shirasaya for preservation.

This elegant blade belongs to the renowned Mino tradition, one of the five great classical schools of Japanese swordmaking. Preserved with both a handsome dragon-themed koshirae and a white-wood resting scabbard, it offers a compelling combination of historical authenticity, collector appeal and strong visual presence.

The Smith (Kanenori 兼則)

This blade is the work of Kanenori 兼則, a respected name within the Mino tradition, also known as Mino-den. Mino was one of the Gokaden, the five great classical traditions of Japanese swordmaking, and became especially famous for swords created in and around the town of Seki.

The Mino tradition developed from the older Yamato tradition during the late Kamakura period and reached its full maturity during the Muromachi era. Seki smiths became renowned for qualities highly valued by warriors: sharpness, structural reliability and a direct, purposeful elegance.

Kanenori was not a single individual smith but a lineage that continued for several generations from the early Muromachi period onward. The earliest bearer of the name is recorded as an important figure among the early Seki schools, while later generations continued the name into subsequent periods and even neighbouring provinces such as Echizen and Owari.

Blades of this line from the Muromachi period belong to the celebrated group known as Sue-Seki, Mino swords forged during the height of Seki’s prosperity.

Historical Context

The Muromachi period, especially its turbulent latter half during the Sengoku era, was the golden age of Mino swordmaking. Constant warfare created enormous demand for reliable swords, and Mino’s strategic position between the Kantō region and the capital made it one of Japan’s most important forging centres.

Seki blades were produced for feudal lords, retainers and samurai across the country. They were valued not only as beautiful objects, but above all as dependable weapons intended to be carried and used.

This katana belongs directly to that world. Its form, construction and later remounting history give it the honest, battle-tested character associated with true working swords of the samurai age.

The Blade (Tōshin)

The blade is forged in classic shinogi-zukuri form with an iori-mune back. Its graceful and well-balanced curvature rises toward a medium point, or chū-kissaki, giving the sword a confident and elegant silhouette.

The hamon is lively and expressive, combining notare, gunome and midare elements worked in nioi with bright nie activity. This energetic temper line is unmistakably associated with the Mino tradition.

The nakago is ō-suriage and mumei, with three mekugi-ana. These features reflect the long working life of a blade that was preserved, shortened and remounted across generations.

The Koshirae

The katana is accompanied by a handsome and well-preserved koshirae with a strong dragon theme.

The saya is finished in brilliant vermilion lacquer with a sparkling granular ishime and nashiji surface, creating a striking and luxurious appearance.

The fuchi-kashira and kojiri are crafted in dark shakudō-style metal and decorated with gilt dragons and heart-shaped inome openwork, combining martial symbolism with refined decorative craftsmanship.

The tsuka is covered in genuine rayskin (same) and bound in black silk tsuka-ito over dragon menuki, creating a strong visual harmony with the rest of the mounting.

The round iron tsuba is decorated with chrysanthemum and foliage sukashi openwork enriched with gilt accents, while the braided silk sageo is finished in a rich mustard-gold tone.

Shirasaya and Preservation

In addition to its decorative koshirae, the sword is accompanied by a companion shirasaya, a plain white-wood resting scabbard traditionally used for the safe long-term preservation of Japanese blades.

This combination of both koshirae and shirasaya is especially desirable, allowing the blade to be properly preserved while the complete mounted form can also be appreciated and displayed.

Documentation

The blade is accompanied by an official NBTHK Hozon Tōken certificate, No. 354185, issued on 4 August Heisei 11 (1999), confirming its attribution to Kanenori of the Mino tradition.

It is also accompanied by its original Japanese torokusho registration, Niigata No. 3669, issued on 31 March Shōwa 36 (1961), where it is recorded as a katana and listed as mumei.

Specifications (寸法)

• Classification: Katana 刀
• Attribution: Kanenori 兼則
• Tradition: Mino Seki tradition
• Period: Muromachi period
• School: Mino-den / Sue-Seki
• Nagasa: 2 shaku 2 sun 5 bu strong / approx. 68.2 cm
• Sugata: Shinogi-zukuri with iori-mune and chū-kissaki
• Hamon: Notare-gunome / midare in nioi with bright nie activity
• Nakago: Ō-suriage, mumei, three mekugi-ana
• Koshirae: Vermilion lacquer saya with dragon-themed fittings
• Shirasaya: Included
• Certificate: NBTHK Hozon Tōken No. 354185
• Certificate Date: 4 August Heisei 11 (1999)
• Registration: Niigata No. 3669
• Registration Date: 31 March Shōwa 36 (1961)

I'm Eric Majó, founder of Supein Nihonto S.L.U., based in Canillo, Andorra. We specialize in authenticated Japanese swords (nihontō), samurai armor (katchū), and fittings (tōsōgu).

I source directly at dealers' auctions in Tokyo and have been doing this seriously for the past 4–5 years, with sourcing now fully shifted to Japanese dealer auctions. Every nihontō we list comes with its registration paperwork (torokushō), and where available, NBTHK or NTHK papers — always stated clearly in each listing.

Shop: supeinnihonto.com

Shipping: Handled through trusted express couriers (FedEx, DHL, UPS or equivalent), fully insured. Free express shipping within Europe on orders over €1,000, and free express international shipping worldwide on orders over €10,000. Every piece is professionally packed for antique-safe transit.

Payment: Card and standard checkout methods via the website; for larger pieces feel free to reach out directly to arrange payment — info@supeinnihonto.com or +376 388 807.

Returns: 14-day return window on regular-priced items, buyer covers return shipping and insurance, item must arrive in original condition. Note that certain fragile pieces (antique armor in particular) aren't eligible for return due to assembly/disassembly risk — full policy here: Return and Refund Policy. Every piece also comes with our own certificate of authenticity.

I'll be listing pieces individually as separate topics in this section, each with full photos, dimensions, and documentation. Happy to answer any questions about a specific piece, sourcing, or attribution in the replies below.

Thanks for having me here.

Eric