An ‘Ikkanshi’ Tadatsuna Katana (近江守忠綱)

Born in 1644, Omi no Kami Tadatsuna Nidai – commonly known as Mandayu and Ikkanshi – was the natural son of the Shodai Omi no Kami and one of the giants of the Osaka Shintô School. Fujishiro rates him Jojo-saku (highly superior), Hawley assigns 150 points, and some of his finest works have achieved Bunkasai cultural relic status. He was also a gifted carver of horimono, and this combination of skill – blade and decoration – makes signed examples particularly sought after.

This katana is precisely what you would expect from Tadatsuna at his best. The cutting edge measures an even 70cm with a curvature of 1.45cm – a swordsman’s geometry. The choji midare hamon is beguiling, echoing the finest Bizen Ichimonji smiths with long, flowing ashi and animated sunagashi. The ko-itame jihada is flawlessly forged. This is a sword of immense quality, ubu and complete.

Currently housed in shirasaya, this blade presents a genuine opportunity to commission a custom koshirae – a chance to infuse the new caretaker’s personality into a piece that will be cherished for generations. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers accompany the sword in full.