TS89 Katana sword YOSHIHIRA 1600s- Antique NBTHK Hozon certificate

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Item# TS089
Antique Katana sword in Ornate Mounting
Edo Period, Enpō Era (1673–1681)
NBTHK Hozon certificated (Well Preserved certificate)

Swordsmith: Attributed to Higashiyama Yoshihira

A quality Katana sword from SAMURAI STORE Tokyo.

Edo Period, Enpō Era (1673–1681) | NBTHK Hozon Certificate

A rare and highly refined work attributed to Higashiyama Yoshihira, a distinguished Kyoto smith of the Umetada tradition, ranked Jōjō-saku and counted among the Wazamono swordsmiths.

This elegant katana is attributed by the NBTHK to Higashiyama Yoshihira (東山美平), an accomplished swordsmith active in Yamashiro Province—present-day Kyoto—during the early Edo period.

Yoshihira belonged to the celebrated Umetada tradition of Kyoto and is known as “Higashiyama Yoshihira” after the Higashiyama district of Kyoto where he lived and worked. His surviving works are relatively scarce and are highly appreciated for their sophisticated forging and distinctive tempering.

He is traditionally ranked Jōjō-saku (上々作), indicating a smith of particularly high workmanship, and is also listed among the Wazamono (業物) smiths, whose blades were historically recognized for excellent cutting ability.

Exceptional Jihada and Hamon

The jihada displays a beautifully tight and refined mokume-hada, with exceptionally vivid nie scattered across the surface. Under the light, these brilliant crystalline particles appear almost like fine snow falling across the steel, giving the blade remarkable depth and visual character.

The nioiguchi is deep and clearly defined, while the hamon demonstrates the dynamic workmanship for which Yoshihira is admired.

Particularly noteworthy is the distinctive yahazu-midare (矢筈乱れ), or “arrow-notch” irregular temper pattern. Numerous ko-ashi and yō enter the hardened edge, producing a complex and lively appearance. As the hamon approaches the kissaki, the pattern becomes increasingly dynamic and pronounced.

The entire hamon is exceptionally bright and clear, creating a striking contrast with the finely forged jihada. The combination of dense mokume, abundant nie, deep nioi, and active yahazu-midare makes this an especially attractive example of early Edo-period Kyoto sword craftsmanship.

Koshirae and Fittings

The blade is accompanied by a refined koshirae with an elegant and restrained aesthetic.

The tsuka is wrapped in pale-colored ito over traditional samegawa, beautifully complementing the dark metal fittings. The fuchi and kashira are decorated with chrysanthemum (kiku) motifs highlighted in gold, set against finely worked dark surfaces with scrolling designs.

The chrysanthemum has a long history in Japanese decorative art and gives the mounting a dignified, classical appearance particularly appropriate to a sword associated with Kyoto craftsmanship.

A dark iron tsuba with a subtle gold rim provides an understated transition between the blade and handle, while the glossy black lacquered saya completes the mounting with a clean and formal appearance.

Rather than overwhelming the blade with elaborate decoration, the koshirae has a sophisticated balance of black lacquer, pale tsukamaki, dark metalwork, and restrained gold ornamentation—a refined presentation that complements the quality of the sword itself.

Collector’s Appeal

What makes this sword particularly appealing is the combination of a scarce and highly regarded attribution, outstanding activity within the steel, and a tasteful koshirae ornate mounting.

Works attributed to Higashiyama Yoshihira are considerably less commonly encountered than those of many mainstream Edo-period schools. For collectors seeking something beyond a typical Shintō katana, this sword offers the distinctive workmanship of the Kyoto Umetada tradition, an NBTHK Hozon attribution, and a beautifully coordinated antique mounting.

A refined and uncommon Kyoto sword combining the technical quality of a Jōjō-saku and Wazamono smith with exceptionally beautiful nie and Yoshihira’s characteristic yahazu-midare hamon.

Also Comes With:
Standard Sword Bag

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