Antique Nihonto Katana Signed by Muneyuki NBTHK TOKUBETSU HOZON TOKEN Certificate

Authentic Nihontō Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Hoshu Takada ju Muneyuki 豊州高田住藤原統行 NBTHK TOKUBETSU HOZON TOKEN Certificate

The 豊州高田派 (Hōshū Takada school) was a group of swordsmiths that flourished in the Takada area of 豊後国 (Bungo Province) (now near Tsurusaki in Ōita City). The school prospered mainly around the Takada village in Ōita District during the 南北朝時代 (Nambokucho period). The school’s founder was 友行 (Tomoyuki), a disciple of Chikuzen Sōden from the Kenmu period. 

In the Koto period, many works bore the 平 (Taira) surname, so they were called 平高田 (Taira Takada). From the Shinto period onward, they inscribed the 藤原 (Fujiwara) surname, and thus were generally referred to as 藤原高田 (Fujiwara Takada). The school has always been highly regarded for its practical swords, which were favored by many warriors as 武用刀 (military swords).

During the Sengoku period, the school served as the official swordsmiths for Ōtomo Sorin of Bungo Province and catered to the demands of powerful families across Kyushu, achieving prosperity comparable to the Seki swordsmiths in Mino Province and the Osafune swordsmiths in Bizen Province. Their styles were broad, including Bizen and Sōshu influences, Mino-style three-peak gunome (tobiyaki), and Yamashiro-style swords with koshi-zori and suguha. In the Shinto period, the school was centered in Takada, but also had forges in places like Kokura in Buzen and Nakatsu in Bungo.

統行 (Tadayuki) is a representative swordsmith of the Shinto Takada school, known as Nakama Shingorō by his common name. He received a character from the name of the warlord Ōtomo Yoshimune and took the name Tadayuki, becoming the founder of the Shinto Takada school. He is known as a master swordsmith and his works are classified as 業物 (Yōmono).

This sword is presumed to be a work of the second generation. It does not show a significant difference between the base and tip, having a strong, wide tip. The steel is slightly dark, with tight ko-itame hada and flowing grain patterns, displaying a faint utsuri. The hamon is a bright nioiguchi with a suguha base, mixed with small undulations, and shows frequent ashi and yo, giving it an antique feel. The boshi is straight with a rounded return.

The accompanying koshirae is not original but features excellent one-piece fittings with a quarter-ground polished finish. The saya has an interesting design, with a lacquered honeycomb pattern over a netted surface. Such custom saya would require considerable expense to commission today. The fittings are solid with no looseness. This is a valuable piece both inside and out as an art sword. Don't miss this opportunity to acquire it. *If you are concerned about tsuba rattle, please use a seki-kane.

Bare weight: 704 grams. 
Weight with koshirae and without saya: 1,037 grams.

Nihontō Information