A Chounsai Emura Katana (長運斎江村)

During the Second World War, swordsmith Chôunsai Emura – born Emura Shigetato in Tokushima on the island of Shikoku – operated a remarkable sword-making school on the grounds of Okayama Prison. He made blades himself and trained selected prisoners to produce swords in support of the Japanese war effort. Emura died in 1960, leaving behind a body of work that is now actively sought by collectors: his blades are distinguished by a bright, tightly worked gunome-chôji-midare hamon in the classic Bizen tradition, a style he made his signature.

This muscular katana exemplifies Emura’s best work. The blade carries a strong presence in hand at 730g with a pronounced sori of 1.4cm – a practical and purposeful shape. The gunome-chôji-midare hamon is bright and active throughout, consistent from the base to the kissaki. The nakago is ubu, original and unaltered, with a clear six-character signature: Chôunsai Emura saku (Shôwa). Two NBTHK Hozon certificates have been issued for the blade, and an NTHK-NPO Kanteisho accompanies the koshirae.

The custom koshirae is a compelling piece in its own right. The saya is finished in nashiji-style brown lacquer, the tsuka wrapped in natural kawa (skin) over same (ray skin). The tsuba is a fine polished brass antique piece attributed to the Hirado school (mid-Edo, circa 1700-1780), depicting a dragon rising through clouds – authenticated by NTHK-NPO Kanteisho. The fuchi-kashira is attributed to the Shônai school, bearing a bold spider motif, also NBTHK Hozon certified. The menuki carry a lucky gods theme. Together the fittings form a sword of vivid character and genuine collector appeal.