A Bizen Kozori School Katana (備前小反派)

The Kozori group were accomplished smiths whose closest ties were with the Kanemitsu School, active in the late 1300s to early 1400s – precisely when this sword was forged. Born as a longer tachi proudly carried on horseback by a mounted samurai during the Nambokucho wars, this blade was later shortened during the late Muromachi period to become a dependable one-handed fighting katana. That conversion – from battlefield tachi to civilian katana – is itself a piece of living history. A bo-hi(groove) runs the length of the blade, reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity.

The ko-gunome hamon tightly vibrates along the blade in an eye-catching pattern, and – crucially for a blade of this age and school – one can admire utsuri, the distinctive shadow hamon that is the mark of the finest older Bizen work. Few blades of any period display it as cleanly as this.

The vintage koshirae is a splendid complement: the saya is finished in a fine shu (reddish) lacquer with evenly spaced vertical lines, the sukashi tsuba offers delicate open-work design, and the leather hilt is fitted with finely crafted floral menuki and a fuchi-kashira depicting crashing ocean waves. A complete ensemble that wears its age with great dignity.