A Noshu Kanefusa Wakizashi (濃州関住兼房)

This is a superb fighting blade by Mino swordsmith Kanefusa of Noshu Seki – forged approximately 425 years ago at the very end of the Muromachi period. Originally a full-length katana, the blade was shortened at some point in its history to just over 59cm, technically classifying it as an o-wakizashi (long wakizashi) and making it an ideal one-handed weapon, known in Japanese as katate-uchi. The nakago is suriage. It carries all the characteristic hallmarks of the Mino tradition: a bold mokume jihada with the grain of burl wood, and a lively togari gunome midare hamon with pointed peaks and rhythmic undulation.

Both the blade and its koshirae have been certified with vintage NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho papers – the earlier designation used by the NBTHK before the current Hozon system was established, and one that carries real historical prestige. The sword is a direct survivor of the Sengoku period, crafted during the Tenshô era (1573-1592) when Mino smiths were among the most prolific and sought-after in Japan, supplying blades to warlords across the country.

The sword is housed in a handsome Edo-period uchigatana koshirae with an attractive horse motif that complements the martial character of the blade perfectly. A shirasaya is also included. This piece was consigned from the UK and represents exactly the kind of honest, well-documented Muromachi-period sword that serious collectors find increasingly difficult to source.