ITEM# UJKA180 – Catalogue 24 – Sold
A Minamoto Juou Katana (源寿王)
A freshly polished and striking gendaito (modern katana) by swordsmith Minamoto Juou, signed and dated to July 1974. Juou is a descendant of grandmaster swordsmith Taikei Naotane and is known as 3rd generation Naohiro – a lineage that carries real weight in the modern sword world. The blade’s majestic shape draws directly from the great swords of the Nambokucho period (14th century): a sweeping o-kissaki (large tip) and a clean bo-hi(groove) running the length of the blade capture the eye immediately.
The jihada is a tightly forged itame hada with gorgeous streaks of chikei – black gleaming lines of nie crystals running through the body of the steel. In parts the chikei resembles the claws of a crab. Yo (isolated spots of ashi separated from the hamon) can also be enjoyed. The hamon is a lively notare gunome ko-choji midare with long ashi extending towards the cutting edge – note the abundance of hataraki (activity) throughout.
The sword is complemented by a handsome Edo-period koshirae. The tsuba is a particularly fine piece, attributed to the Jingo family of Higo province (Shimizu School) and certified by NTHK-NPO as having been crafted in the Late Edo period. The fuchi-kashira features a Kaga Zogan collar with mon (crest) designs and a flower-and-plant kashira in shakudo with gold inlay. A healthy sword with a vigorous spirit – fully equipped and ready to collect.
| Item Number | UJKA180 |
| Sword Type | Katana |
| Swordsmith | Minamoto Juou (3rd generation Naohiro) |
| Swordsmith (JP) | 源寿王 |
| Signature | Minamoto Juou |
| Date | Showa 49 (1974), 7th month (July) |
| Province | Saitama prefecture |
| Period | Gendaito – Showa era (1974) |
| Nagasa | 72.5cm (2-shaku 3-sun 9-bu) |
| Sori | 2.0cm |
| Moto-haba | 3.1cm |
| Weight | 685g |
| Nakago | Ubu, one mekugi-ana |
| Jihada | Itame hada (tightly forged wood grain pattern) with chikei |
| Hamon | Notare gunome ko-choji midare with long ashi |
| Certificates | NTHK-NPO Kanteisho x 3 (sword, tsuba, and koshirae designated as Authentic by the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword) |
| Koshirae | Edo-period koshirae with green lacquered saya, suede leather tsuka wrap |
| Tsuba | Attributed to the Jingo family, Shimizu School, Higo province – hammered iron with gold uzumaki inlay, Late Edo period. NTHK-NPO Kanteisho certified. |
| Fuchi-kashira | Kaga Zogan fuchi with mon (crest) designs; kashira in shakudo with flower and plant motif in gold inlay |
| Habaki | Gin-habaki (silver with rain pattern) |
| Catalogue | Catalogue 24 |
| Status | Sold |
| Includes | Edo-period koshirae, shirasaya, carry bags, sword stand, maintenance kit, DVD, booklet, printed description, export permit from Japan |