Antique Nihonto Katana Attributed to Takada NBTHK HOZON TOKEN Certificate

Authentic Nihontō Japanese Sword Katana Attributed to Takada 高田 NBTHK HOZON TŌKEN Certificate 

The 豊州高田派 (Hōshū Takada school) flourished during the 南北朝時代 (Nanbokuchō period) around 豊後高田 (Bungo Takada) (currently Takada Village, Ōita District, within present-day Ōita City). 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, and these are referred to as 平高田 (Taira Takada). From the Shinto period onward, the swords were signed with the 藤原 (Fujiwara) surname, and the school became generally known as 藤原高田 (Fujiwara Takada). This school has been highly regarded for its practical swords since ancient times and was favored by many warriors as 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. The characteristic feature of their suguha is the presence of “leaves” described as needle-like lines within the blade. In the Shinto period, the school was centered in Takada but also had forges in places like Kokura in Buzen and Nakatsu in Bungo.

This sword, although heavily shortened, maintains a well-proportioned width difference between the base and tip and has a slightly extended tip. The grooves (bo-hi) were likely added in the Edo period. The grooves run through the tang (nakago) and end in a classical style along the ridge (shinogi). The blade has a well-balanced center of gravity towards the hand. The tang's curvature is adjusted for cutting efficiency. The steel features a mixture of itame and mokume hada, well-forged and showing some raised grain and chikei. The hamon is a suguha with a slightly sunken nioiguchi, exhibiting sunagashi and kinsuji along the edge. The boshi is straight with a rounded return.

The tang has an engraved character "十二二" (12-2), which indicates it was once part of a daimyō's castle armory, serving as a historical record. Currently, there is a tiny saw-like nick about 2 cm below the yokote, possibly from hitting something, but it is not very noticeable, and the blade can still be appreciated in its current state.

Previously, this sword was mounted in an old koshirae, but due to concerns about the fittings and the deformation of the mekugi holes, it was deemed unsafe for martial use. Thus, it has been remounted with a new silver habaki and shirasaya for sale. If the buyer prefers to have a new koshirae made instead of the shirasaya, the cost of the shirasaya can be applied to the koshirae fabrication. Please feel free to inquire.

Bare weight: 615 grams.

Nihontō Information