A Nobusada Katana (伊勢守藤原信貞)

Swordsmith Ise no Kami Nobusada – born Ganmaku Ichirosaemon – was a talented smith of Mino province who flourished during the early 17th century. Mino blades have long been celebrated for their cutting ability, a reputation this sword upholds without question. It is in ubu nakago (original, unaltered condition) with a full, confident signature – a point of considerable importance for collectors.

The hamon is the centrepiece of this blade: an eye-catching sanbonsugi, the temper line that leaps in groups of three points like cypress trees silhouetted against the sky. This distinctive pattern was pioneered by Magoroku Kanemoto during the mid-Muromachi period and became one of the great hallmarks of the Mino tradition. Here it sits within a tight nioikuchi alongside kokoro and togari gunome, producing a hamon of real complexity and visual drama.

Update! This katana has just come available. Although the description does not feature a koshirae, it does have one and I can share photos upon request. The sword is currently in Japan at our studio and can be shipped most anywhere in the world. Please download the PDF (link below) and inquire for further details. This is a great sword for the first time collector, nicely priced, fully NBTHK Hozon certified.