Katana - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)

Samurai Sword Katana Bishū-jū Katsushige Sengo School Muramasa Lineage

Bishū-jū Fujiwara Katsushige (勝重)
Descendant of Muramasa  Sengo School
Disciple of Sengo Masashige (son of Muramasa)
Honorary title: Mikawa no Kami (三河守)

Katsushige forged blades in Kuwana (Ise) and Nagoya (Owari) during the Kanbun Era. His name carries martial symbolism — 勝 (Katsu) = Victory, 重 (Shige) = Consecutive  and his swords were believed to bring victory upon victory to the warrior who carried them. This made his work especially valued among samurai of rank and status.

The blade has excelent polish, bright and exceptionally healthy, allowing the steel activity and hamon to be clearly admired.

Koshirae

This sword is mounted in a Type 98 Japanese Army Guntō (陸軍将校九八式軍刀) — the regulation mounting worn by Imperial Japanese Army officers during WWII. This example features:

• Field-officer tassel attached
• Excellent overall condition
• Samurai-family mon inlaid on both sides of the tsuka
• Traditional ray skin & original wartime bindings

The presence of two different mon suggests the officer who carried this sword descended of notable samurai lineage  an uncommon and historically desirable feature.

Family Crests (Mon) on the Handle

1. Kiri Mon (Paulownia Crest)
A classical Kiri (桐) crest, used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Imperial government officials, high-ranking samurai, and later by the Japanese state itself. It symbolizes authority, honor, and government-granted status. Its presence strongly indicates a family of position or imperial connection.

2. Kanji Mon – 久 (Hisa / Hisashi / Kyū)
The second mon features the character 久, meaning eternal, everlasting, enduring. This type of single-character mon was used by specific samurai families — often bearing 久 in their family name (Hisamatsu, Hisatsune, Hisayoshi, etc.) or as a hereditary personal crest. A personal mon like this typically identifies a particular lineage, making this koshirae highly research worthy.

Together, these mon suggest a blade carried by an officer of noble samurai ancestry, maintaining family identity even into the Showa military era.

Sengo School History

Founded by the legendary Muramasa, the Sengo tradition is one of Japan's most famous and storied sword lineages. Muramasa’s blades were admired  and feared  for their sharpness and powerful temperament.
Legends describe them as “living steel,” influencing the spirit of those who wielded them.

• Established in Kuwana, Ise Province (modern Mie).
• Masashige (1st gen) is believed to be Muramasa’s son,Katsuhige was the student of Masahige.
• The name Sengo links to Senju-Kannon (Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva).
• Blades are known for cutting strength, vitality and battlefield spirit.

Katsushige represents one of the strong post Muramasa successors, preserving the fierce characteristics of the school well into the Edo period.

Specifications

Nagasa: 71.8 cm 
Sori: 1.3 cm
Motohaba: 3.3 cm
Kasane: 7 mm
Sakihaba: 2.35 cm
Saki-kasane: 4.8 mm
Mekugi-ana: 1
Era: Edo – Kanbun (1661–1673)
Mounting: Type 98 Field Officer Guntō
Condition: Excellent
Certification: NBTHK Hozon

Highlights

• NBTHK Hozon — guaranteed authentic
• Muramasa-lineage blade by Fujiwara Katsushige
• Mounted in Type 98 officer guntō with field tassel
• Two mon on the tsuka — Kiri & 久 family crest
• Beautiful  polish with strong activity visible
• A rare combination of Edo craftsmanship & military history

NBTHK Hozon – Preserved Sword
Edo Period – Kanbun Era  1661

Mounted in Type 98  Field Officer Guntō Koshirae with dual family mon

A superb blade uniting samurai heritage, Muramasa bloodline and Imperial-era military legacy  one of the best combinations a collector can hope to find.