A Yukihiro Katana (一肥前国出羽守行広)

Shodai Dewa no Kami Yukihiro from Hizen province is one of the Shintô period’s most accomplished swordsmiths, and this katana makes that reputation impossible to dispute. Born in 1617 as the son of Yoshinobu and younger brother to Masahiro, Yukihiro received his Dewa no Daijo title in 1648 and his Dewa no Kami title in 1663 – meaning this blade was forged after he had reached the peak of his official standing. He studied Dutch forging techniques in Nagasaki alongside Hisatsugu and Tanenaga, and is also believed to have studied the Bizen Ichimonji tradition in Edo with Noriyoshi. The depth of that training is visible in every square centimetre of this blade.

The jihada is a masterclass in the classic Hizen tradition: mokume-hada forged so tightly it becomes konuka-hada – fine as rice bran – alive with ji-nie and running chikei. The hamon is pure Yukihiro: a bold, sweeping gunome-chôji midare with his trademark abunomefu – those distinctive horsefly-eye rounded nie elements that appear as dots within the ashi. Kinsuji and sunagashi move through the temper line with real energy. At the tip, the boshi is kaen – flame-like, the thick clusters of nie crystals making it appear as though the point is alight. The nakago is ubu with sujikai-yasurime and a kurijiri (chestnut-shaped) butt end. The habakiis gold-wrapped with crisp file marks.

The koshirae was produced by Unique Japan in 2021 as a bespoke project to complement the statesmanship of the blade. The kuro-roiro-nuri (glossy black lacquer) saya carries gold-accented koiguchi, kojiri and kurikata – inspired by the gold-leaf work found on the finest samurai art. The spiritually protective iconographic programme is exceptional: the tsuba is a polished iron masterwork by Masamitsu of the Aizu-Shoami school depicting the young Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune (then called Ushiwaka-maru) training under Tengu King Sôjôbô on Mount Kurama – itself certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon. The fuchi-kashira by Echigo Takada Munetoshi depicts Shôki the Demon Queller vanquishing a small demon, in polished shibuichi with relief and colour inlay – also certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon. Shakudô shisa lions serve as the menuki, and the tsuka is wrapped in gold braid over same. All together, this is a katana that embodies the very spirit of Hizen excellence – and a complete package fit for the most discerning collector.