Description
Authentic Nihontō Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Kurume ju Suketoshi 久留米住祐利 NBTHK HOZON Certificate
The creator of this sword, 祐利 (Suketoshi), was a highly skilled swordsmith who was a disciple of 加賀介祐永 (Kaganojo Sukenaga) and served as a craftsman for the 筑後久留米藩 (Chikugo Kurume domain). However, due to his active period being during the turbulent end of the Edo period to the early Meiji period and the subsequent 廃刀令 (Haitōrei, sword abolition edict), the number of his surviving works is small and rare.
This sword does not show a significant difference between the base and tip, reminiscent of a large shortened sword from the Nanbokucho period at first glance. The tip is extended, the steel shows well-forged mokume, tight with fine ji-nie, and some areas reveal large grain. The 刃文 (hamon) is a bright, clear suguha with frequent ashi, and the ha shows continuous hotsure, resembling the work of Bizen's Kiyomitsu. The 帽子 (boshi) is straight on both sides, sweeping slightly forward, with nie forming kinsuji and returning in a small round.
While a sword with a shallow curvature and no significant difference between the base and tip usually feels heavier towards the tip and slightly unbalanced, this sword surprisingly feels well-balanced with the center of gravity closer to the hand, making it feel light in hand. This reflects Suketoshi's high level of skill considering practical use.
The sword has no notable forging flaws, making it an excellent piece, and the inscription "上九" (Jokyu) on the 棟 (mune) suggests it might have been forged as a prepared sword for the 久留米藩 (Kurume domain). This is a well-made piece, and we highly recommend submitting it for the 保存刀剣鑑定 (NBTHK HOZON Certificate).
Bare weight: 764 grams.
Nihontō Information
| Name 名称 | 久留米住祐利 - Kurume ju Suketoshi |
| Blade Length 刀長 | 二尺三寸四分三厘 / 71.0 cm |
| Sori 反り | 二分六厘強 / 0.81 cm |
| Blade Width 元幅 | 31.6 mm |
| Blade Thickness 元重 | 6.5 mm |
| Tip Width 先幅 | 物打27.0 mm 横手位置24.5 mm |
| Tip Thickness 先重 | 物打5.5 mm 松葉先4.8 mm |
| Mekugi-ana 目釘穴 | 1個 |
| Age 時代 | 明治3年(1870) - The early period of Meiji era - 19th century |
| Certificate 鑑定書 | 保存刀剣鑑定書(NBTHK HOZON TŌKEN Certificate) |
| Registration 登録 | 平成3年5月16日 (May 16, 1991) 栃木県登録 (Tochigi Prefecture Registration) |
| Included 附属 | 素銅はばき (Copper habaki) |
| 白鞘 (Shirasaya Case) | |










