A Motoshige Katana (元重)

Motoshige is the founder of the Motoshige school in Bizen province, a swordsmith of extraordinary pedigree. The younger brother of Morishige and older brother of Shigezane, he was also the grandson of Moriie – and one of the celebrated “Three Students Great of Sôshû Sadamune,” known as the Sadamune no Santetsu. This lineage shows: Motoshige was a prolific maker with a talent for crafting supremely sharp swords over a long career that began at the end of the Kamakura period and extended into the warring Nambokuchô era, when this katana was produced.

A substantial 10cm ô-kissaki gives this blade an unmistakable aura of power. The well-forged itame hada mixed with mokume stands out clearly under light, with a faint utsuri drifting in the background above the hamon – a hallmark of fine Bizen work. The bright suguha-chô hamon is laden with ko-nie and punctuated by ko-gunome, ashi, and vivid black streaks of kinsuji that bring the blade fully to life. The boshi runs sugu with a hint of notare and a brief ko-maru-kaeri. The nakago is a clean ô-suriage, kirijiri, with three mekugi-ana.

The sword carries remarkable provenance. A rare origami by Hon’ami Kôchû from 1709 values the blade at seven gold pieces, and a further origami dated 1893 adds to the chain of authentication. The sayagaki by Hon’ami Nisshû, dated Shôwa 1979, confirms the attribution and records the blade length. The beautifully crafted koshirae – lacquered black with ribbed saya, white silk tsuka with jabara-maki wrapping, and fittings in a theme of sakura, crickets, chrysanthemums and butterflies – adds considerable class to an already exceptional package. This sword was designated NBTHK Juyo Token at the 30th session.