A Masatada Katana (正忠)

This superb gendaito (modern sword made using traditional methods) was crafted by second generation Masatada, son of the first generation and also known as Shigeru Okajima. He lived in Nishi Ibaraki Iwamamachi on the outskirts of Tokyo and was among the top 400 swordsmiths working during the Second World War – a distinction that reflects genuine skill rather than mere volume of production. It is highly probable that a Japanese officer once carried this signed katana with pride.

The blade is blessed with a beautiful nashiji hada – steel whose surface resembles the textured skin of a Japanese pear – and an elegant wavy gunome-midare hamon of semi-circular waves that moves with easy confidence along the cutting edge. These qualities speak to a smith working at the height of his abilities, forging in full accordance with the classical tradition.

A fine Edo-period stone-lacquered handachi koshirae accompanies the sword. There is a particular pleasure in holding a modern sword dressed in antique fittings of this quality, the old and the new brought together in one cohesive piece. NTHK-NPO Kanteisho certification confirms the sword as a genuine Masatada creation made using traditional folding techniques.