New member with a 1st purchase to share

anguilla1980 · January 12

Hi everyone!

I’m new to the forum and wanted to briefly introduce myself by sharing a recent acquisition - my first in this space. I’ve been studying nihontō for some time, with a particular focus on late Muromachi work that prioritizes functional integrity, honest construction, and historically grounded workmanship over overtly decorative tendencies. I’m not obsessed with excessively showy hamon, but I do value how all aspects of the blade appear and balance. You will understand what I mean when you really zoom in on the image of the blade.

The katana I'd like to share is a signed and dated Bishū Osafune Sukesada katana, saku, forged in Tenshō 3 (1576) and certified NBTHK Hozon Tōken. It is a late Muromachi uchigatana-form blade and represents the Sue-Bizen tradition at a moment when Osafune production was operating under sustained wartime demand. This one is ranked Jō Saku.

I was specifically looking for a blade that met several criteria including:
A clearly documented Sengoku-era date.
A form appropriate to infantry combat rather than earlier tachi conventions.
Workmanship that remained firmly within classical Bizen-den practice rather than later Shintō reinterpretation.

The blade measures 67.4 cm nagasa, with a wide motohaba, firm kasane, and moderate sori, proportions that read immediately as purposeful rather than exaggerated. The jihada is itame mixed with mokume, with visible utsuri that is consistent and legible under angled light, something I consider essential in pre-flood Bizen work of this period. The hamon is a gunome-midare in nie-deki, active but controlled, favoring durability and coherence over flamboyance. The bōshi enters the kissaki in a continuous midare-komi that holds together well at the point.

The nakago is ubu, with two mekugi-ana reflecting long-term use and remounting rather than shortening, and carries the full inscription 備州長船祐定作, paired with a clear Tenshō 3, 8th month date. Both the mei and nengō were accepted without reservation by the NBTHK. I was particularly interested in a dated Bishū signature, as I regard dated Sue-Bizen work as occupying a materially different category from undated mass-output blades, both in intent and quality.

Historically, the blade sits in a narrow window that I find especially compelling. August 1576 places its forging immediately after Ukita Naoie’s consolidation of Bizen and only weeks after the First Battle of Kizugawaguchi. This was not a transitional or speculative period, but a moment of active mobilization, when swords were commissioned with the expectation of use. The blade’s geometry, heat treatment, and overall character align with that context in a way that feels honest. – I’m an obsessive history geek if you can’t tell lol.

The koshirae itself represents a coherent mid-Edo period remounting, with the tsuka, tsuba, and primary fittings conceived as a unified aesthetic program rather than an assemblage of unrelated parts. The handle fittings are signed by Maruyama Sōzan, an Edo-period metalworker, and display a consistent visual language across the fuchi, kashira, and menuki. The rabbit (hare) menuki are rendered in a restrained, naturalistic style with selective gilt highlights, emphasizing quiet alertness rather than overt martial aggression, a sensibility characteristic of refined Edo tastes. This motif is deliberately complemented by the iron sukashi tsuba, whose rotating tomoe-derived design expresses cyclical motion and natural force in abstract form. Together, the animal imagery of the tsuka and the dynamic, elemental symbolism of the tsuba form a balanced thematic whole, power expressed through harmony rather than excess. The matching materials, colors, gilt, patina, fit, and composition strongly indicate that these components were produced within the same artistic style and likely by the same hand or workshop, assembled intentionally as a complete Edo-period mounting rather than through later mixing. - All this was another big selling point, personally. This coherence underscores a later owner’s discernment, preserving the Sengoku-era blade within a thoughtful and unified Edo presentation. I’ll be adding an appropriate silk sageo, which is missing.

Attached are some of the only photos I have so far, as it's currently pending the export permit. I’ll be absolutely stoked beyond belief when it arrives! The forum size limits are far too restrictive for high-resolution images, especially of the blade, so I'll link them from my OneDrive:

25445paper-1.jpg

Anyway, it’s great to meet everyone and join the forum, and I look forward to learning and sharing! I'm not a collector per se, more of an admirer of the art, skill, and a history buff. I don't see myself buying another one as this ticks all my boxes already. I'm going to have it on display in my living room and I'm writing a full-color coffee table book on the sword to print. It will be an absolute honor and privilege being the caretaker for this nihontō and Japanese history.

- Alex

Edited January 12 by anguilla1980

Katsujinken · January 12

Nice choice. Welcome to the edge of the rabbit hole. And to the NMB!

anguilla1980 · January 12

Thanks!!

klee · January 12

Nice blade @anguilla1980

Im a fan of sue bizen kiyomitsu but I do enjoy checking out Sukesadas whenever they come available. I did like that one when it came on AOI. This blade has a particularly defined jigane compared to other ones i ve seen in a while. Almost all swords from the sengoku , even high level zokumei blades will show tierdness in spots but even the core steel on this blade looks well forged for the most part. A very nice sword indeed with a very active hamon and boshi to top.

Congratulations on the blade and hope to see more photos

Edited January 12 by klee

anguilla1980 · January 12

Thank you, and I appreciate the commentary. I still know very little about how it compares to other similar blades. This one really spoke to me, and so I couldn't pass it up.

klee · January 12

You ll see a lot of Sukesada blades come up. The quality after Eisho ( 1521 ) will be all over the scale. Many with poorly made loose hada. Some decent ones and a few nice Tokubetsu Hozon blades every now and then.

The crown jewel of Sukesada blade was actually just on sale at AOI about a month ago.

An insane work by the shodai Yosozaemon Sukesada

anguilla1980 · January 12

49 minutes ago, klee said:

The crown jewel of Sukesada blade was actually just on sale at AOI about a month ago.

An insane work by the shodai Yosozaemon Sukesada

Do you happen to have a link to that one? I've noticed they remove listings from their main site, but not their auction site (at least not all the time). I'd love to check it out, although no doubt it was out of my price range. I'm doing a search, but coming up empty so far.

Edited January 12 by anguilla1980

klee · January 12

Unfortunately they remove both now but I did download the image

Cant post full res due to image aize restriction tho.

I believe it went for well north of $100,000.00 USD

anguilla1980 · January 12

Oh wow, gorgeous. Now that's a dedicated work of art right there. Thanks!

anguilla1980 · January 14

I wanted to post a brief follow-up and clarification to my original introduction, as further close study of the blade and mounting details has led to a more precise understanding of the sword’s remounting history, specifically regarding the second mekugi-ana. In my original post, I described the koshirae as a coherent mid-Edo remounting, and while that assessment remains broadly correct for the visible fittings themselves, closer examination of the nakago, mekugi-ana placement, and patina has refined when a critical remounting event may have actually occurred.

The blade has two mekugi-ana, and after spending a frankly obsessive amount of time studying their placement, finish, and internal patina, it is now clear that the second mekugi-ana was not a late or decorative alteration, nor a simple reinforcement measure, but the result of a deliberate, planned remounting event. Both holes exhibit uniform age and undisturbed patina, with spacing that reflects a change in tsuka geometry rather than emergency field refitting or later display-driven modification.

This I believe strongly places the addition of the second mekugi-ana in the late Momoyama to very early Edo period, most plausibly the Keichō era (circa 1596–1615). In other words, the blade appears to have been remounted structurally right at the transition from endemic Sengoku warfare into early Tokugawa peace, rather than centuries later.

What this suggests, and what I find particularly compelling, is continuity of ownership. Rather than being replaced, discarded, or relegated to storage, this Sengoku-era blade seems to have been retained, trusted, and thoughtfully adapted as its owner survived into a new social and military reality. The later Edo-period fittings, including the Maruyama Sōzan work, are best understood as subsequent aesthetic or preservation updates, fitted to an already established tang configuration, not the moment that necessitated the second mekugi-ana.

Importantly, this interpretation also addresses a common misconception I initially shared, namely that two mekugi-ana necessarily indicate “wartime reinforcement.” While extra holes do appear on Sengoku blades, they overwhelmingly reflect adaptation and remounting, not a doctrinal preference for dual pegs. A properly carved tsuka with a single well-fitted mekugi was standard even at the height of warfare, and the evidence on this blade aligns with planned remounting rather than battlefield expediency.

Nothing about this refinement diminishes the coherence or quality of the koshirae as it exists today, but it does sharpen the sword’s life story in a way I find deeply satisfying. It reinforces the idea that this was a working blade that earned its keep, survived its era, and was carried forward with intention.

I appreciate everyone’s patience indulging this level of detail, and I’m grateful to be part of a community where these nuances are appreciated - especially as part of the learning process. I'm also sure some other experts here may have already thought this, but hey, as a newbie to this, it's a realization to me lol. I’ll be sure to share higher-resolution images once the sword arrives and I can document it properly in hand.

Thanks again, and I look forward to continuing to learn here.

– Alex

Edited January 14 by anguilla1980

Sukaira · January 14

That Yosozaemon was absolutely insane.

I have 2 nice ones I can show from Bizen, Sengoku era.

1. Gorozaemon no Jo Kiyomitsu 1537

2. Bishu Osafune Sukesada 1567

klee · January 15

@anguilla1980

As much as we like to romanticize the koshirae of a blade. You will find out yourself eventually that it is next to impossible to theorize when or how many times a blade has been remounted. It could have seen several dozens of remounting for all we know

Furthermore, koshirae are put together and thrown on a blade by dealers to boost appeal ALL the time. AOI is esp good at this.

And I am far from being considred knowledgable when it comes to fittings but at a glance, it looks like the ito and samegawa are relatively new. The ito in particular was not done by a skilled tsuka maker and this can be seen by the unevenness of the diamonds.

We also dont know about the origin of the saya and personally , I would never recommend puting a blade into a dealer saya. A proper saya is always custom made to a specific blade and we dont know how or where it s contacting the blade.

My Kiyomitsu came with a Koshirae and I would never in a million years attempt to mount it on the blade.

https://eirakudo.shop/token/wakizashi/detail/319916

eternal_newbie · January 15

25 minutes ago, klee said:

You will find out yourself eventually that it is next to impossible to theorize when or how many times a blade has been remounted.

Not only that but blades owned by more prosperous samurai often had multiple koshirae at the same time (e.g. one for ceremonial duties, one for casual use, one for battlefield use). Check out this Hokke sword that just sold on the forum: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/53726-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-hokke-katana-w-2-koshirae/

anguilla1980 · January 15

For sure, I don't disagree with either of you. It's well known that mountings come and go all the time over the centuries, and that there can be numerous ones owned for each blade at a given time. My observation was simply of the two mekugi, and when the second hole was made.

I appreciate the observation on the ito, I hadn't noticed that. Yeah, they are slightly different widths, especially on the outside - which you'd think would be the best.

Now the saya, that's an interesting point. I didn't know AOI was notorious for this. Never did it occur to me that a saya would be sold with a blade that hadn't been custom-made for it. Of course, it would also never occur to me to bother putting the mounting on the blade, let alone inserting it into the saya, but I would have trusted it to be made to an absolutely perfect custom fit whenever it was added. That's just dangerous to even sell an ill-fitting saya with a blade, and pretty irresponsible, frankly. Now you've done the opposite and made me so curious, I may carefully try it lol!

Edited January 15 by anguilla1980

eternal_newbie · January 15

Generally, when buying from a somewhat reputable dealer such as Aoi, they will have at least gone to the trouble of making sure the saya fits the blade by using a long-handled rasp. However it's always worth tapping out the saya to shake loose any debris or shavings before attempting a fitting - even for a koshirae that was custom-made for the blade.

klee · January 15

@anguilla1980

Adding koshirae to a blade by dealers isnt really malpractice nor is Aoi bad for doing this. It s simply part of the general nihonto market. It s not that difficult to find a saya that fits if you match the sori. But you dont know how well it s been maintained if at all. Even a custom shirasaya can damage the polish with foreign particle build up with poor maintanace

When you spend enough time in the hobby looking at blades every chance you get, you ll sometime come across a blade you ve seen appear at a different dealer or being sold by an individual seller and the koshirae can sometimes be added, removed, or a different one all together.

Now for the 2 mekugi ana. There is no way to know for sure but the 2nd one was most likely made simply to accomodate a different handle. Could have been a new handle , old handle we ll never know for sure but these things were done all the time.

And someone with more specific knowledge could add to this but the ana was punched during koto times and at some point during the edo/shinto period , they were drilled. I cant quite tell but they both look punched on yours with the bottom one being original. So the 2nd one might have been made a long time ago as well.

I ve looked at a lot of sue bizen blades and that top ana looks unusually high to be the original.

anguilla1980 · January 15

Interesting to see that rasp tool just for doing that. I'll be sure to give the saya a really good look, especially on the inside to ensure it's clean. If it's not a great fit, that just gives me an excuse to have one commissioned in the Tensho-era style of the day for a typical rank and file samurai. Very plain, wrapped in cloth then laquered over, etc. but at least it would be a perfect fit for the blade and restore some historical accuracy to the koshirae in a modest sense until I could do the rest of the mounting the same.

sabiji · January 15

On 12.1.2026 at 01:38, anguilla1980 said:

August 1576 places its forging immediately after Ukita Naoie’s consolidation of Bizen and only weeks after the First Battle of Kizugawaguchi. This was not a transitional or speculative period, but a moment of active mobilization, when swords were commissioned with the expectation of use.

I wouldn't take the dating too seriously. It's more symbolic, meant to bring good luck.

Most Sue-Bizen blades were “created” in either the 2nd or 8th month of the year.

The number 8 stands for Hachiman, and in Japan, 8 also stands for eternity and infinity.

anguilla1980 · January 15

That is a great little nugget of intel, thanks.

From what I can tell, there is a bit of truth there, but it’s usually framed a bit too symbolically.

Sue-Bizen blades do tend to cluster in the 2nd and 8th months based on my research, but this is generally understood as reflecting practical production and commissioning cycles during the Sengoku period. While Hachiman worship and numerological associations with “8” certainly existed, signed and dated blades that pass NBTHK scrutiny are normally taken at face value as real production dates rather than symbolic ones.

So I'll just take it for what it is on the NBTHK cert, a literal date, but yes, I suppose I won't put too much weight in it. It could be the NBTHK just respecting the symbolic auspicious date at face value.

Edited January 15 by anguilla1980

nulldevice · January 15

Many other good reads like this can be found. It seems to boil down to superstition, and the practical side of my brain agrees that especially during a time of ongoing war, swordsmiths probably didn't suspend production of blades from March through July because they weren't "lucky" months. The overall distribution of nengo on blades does show spikes in February and August and I'd suspect it was more to do with lucky numbers and superstition than when the blade was actually quenched.

You'll rarely see a blade with the 4th month on the nengo written 四 because of its connection with the word for death. You will see 二二 instead in many cases.

anguilla1980 · January 15

I kinda interpreted the data that dates of swords at this specific period of war, were reflecting practical production and military commissioning cycles rather than symbolic or ritual dating. But it looks like I could be wrong, and they are more symbolic dates with the NBTHK respecting that date as real out of superstition and respect.

Certainly, with swords before and after I expect that to be the case, so yeah, the truth may be stretched here as well.

As a new guy, I really appreciate the info!

CSM101 · January 15

Jussi Ekholm · January 15

Congratulations on getting a nice sword.

In the book Osafune Chōshi, history of Osafune smiths there is actual data on 1,040 dated Osafune swords from 1232 to 1595. While 2nd and 8th month have always had the auspicious aura, there is actually big shift when Ōei ended in 1428. After Ōei Osafune smiths pretty much dated only to to 2nd or 8th month. In the 4th bracket of the table that is late Muromachi period from 1504 to 1595, there are 323 dated swords. From all of those 174 swords (54%) are dated to 8th month and 140 swords (43,3%) are dated to 2nd month. So there are only 9 swords that are dated to other months. Now for comparison during Nanbokuchō period 1334 to 1393, 19,2% of swords were dated to 8th month and 15,6% were dated to 2nd month.

anguilla1980 · January 15

Thanks for pointing out that reference book exists, I just found and purchased a copy on Buyee - https://www.kosho.or.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=565488584

CSM101 · January 15

That is the wrong one. Osafune Choshi are two books in a slipcase. About 10.000 Yen.

anguilla1980 · January 15

Well s**t, good to know. Google told me there were multiple versions printed, and this was the combined single volume. So much for that lol.

This is the Google Translate of the images of the book:

"This book is 長船町史刀剣編 (Osafune Chōshi, “Sword Section, General History”), the official Osafune town sword history volume published in 2000.
It is not a general town history volume, and it is not an unrelated excerpt."

So since it's just a general sword history, yeah, this wouldn't have all the detail of the 2-volume. Damn, ok.

EDIT: Alright, I found the proper 2-volume detailed reference edition and purchased it.

Thanks!

Edited January 15 by anguilla1980

klee · January 15

@Sukaira

What an stunning work you have by Gorozaemon. The finest one I ve ever seen. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

I started out as a Kiyomitsu collector and have always prefered their calmer more subdued atmosphere compared to Sukesada.

That sword is very unique that it has an original Futasuji-hi resulting in the mei being down the center.

Im still contemplating on selling or holding on to my one Kiyomitsu blade since I ve shifted to collecting Kyushu schools. I know I wont come across another one like it if/when I sell it but seeing that Gorozaemon you posted def makes part of me want to dive back into sue bizen

Sukaira · January 15

@klee thanks! What Kyushu schools did you switch to? Hizen, Enju, Satsuma...something else?

Sukaira · January 15

@anguilla1980 That is a solid first pick up for Sukesada.

Also I just wanted to share a close up of that Yosozaemon that @klee posted, because I also downloaded the original image :laughing:

You really don't see (or at least I have not) long Kinsuji running through the ha in Sue-Bizen pieces. Just proves the smiths had all the knowledge and skills, just not the time or resources (or maybe even just the reason) sometimes.

Edited January 15 by Sukaira

klee · January 15

@Sukaira

I am a huge lover of unpoular schools at the moment lol

Mainly Kongo Hyoe and Naminohira.

Still on the lookout for a signed Ubu Moritaka but it s gonna take some time I think.

I find that koto period Naminohira is extremely hard to collect. Esp Ko Naminohira. They tend to be very tierd and thin/slender and the decent ones all tend to go exponentially more or juyo.

I never had any interest in shinshinto but Motohira blades do turn my head every now and then. This one on AOI right now is just splendid

https://www.aoijapan.com/katanaoku-yamato-ason-motohiranbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-token/

Edited January 15 by klee

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