A Morikage Katana (備前国大宮盛景)

Ômiya Morikage was one of the most accomplished swordsmiths of the Bizen Ômiya school, active during the height of the Nambokuchô period. Founded by the swordsmith Kunimori around 1260, the school worked in the great Bizen tradition, and Morikage stands among its finest representatives alongside Morishige and Morokage. He is ranked jô-saku as a superior smith and ryô-wazamonô for the enviable sharpness his blades were renowned for. The sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro confirms this sword was crafted during the Jôji era (1362-1368), placing it squarely in the heart of the warring period. Works by Morikage have reached NBTHK Jûyô Token status as well as the prestigious designations of Jûyô Bunkazai and Jûyô Bijitsuhin.

This is a powerhouse blade. Originally forged as an imposing ô-dachi with a nagasa approaching 90cm, it was subsequently ô-suriage – greatly shortened – with the original signature lost in the process. What remains is a wide, thick katana with a commanding ô-kissaki that speaks plainly to its battlefield origins. The jihada is a gorgeous swirling mokume-hada with ji-nie, chikei, and a brilliant midare-utsuri that billows in classic kotô-period Bizen fashion. The hamon is a spectacular $1 that whips dramatically high and low along the steel, enriched by deep kinsuji, fine sunagashi, and a wavy midare bôshi in the kissaki. The blade features a large bo-hiwith flanking soe-bi grooves, running through the nakago in kaki-tôshi style.

The sword is complemented by an elegant custom koshirae finished in glossy black lacquer (kuro roiro-nuri). The standout piece is the stunning tsuba by Mogarashi Nyûdô Sôten (藻柄子入道宗典), depicting the celebrated legend of Watanabe no Tsuna at Ichijô Modoribashi – an iron demon confrontation rendered with extraordinary skill. The fuchi-kashira are signed works by Kikuoka Mitsutomo in shakudô with nanako ground, depicting fukujusô (pheasant’s eye flower) and chimaki (rice dumplings), both auspicious motifs. The tsuka is wrapped in pristine white silk with high-class jabaramaki braiding over black-lacquered samekawa, with charming gold bonsai tree menuki. The NBTHK has certified both the sword and fuchi-kashira to Tokubetsu Hozon level. The NTHK-NPO additionally awarded the sword its highest honour – Yûshûsaku (Masterwork) – with four judges’ stamps, and certified both the tsuba and koshirae as Authentic.