Sword - Steel - Japan

Yoshimasa
Ōdachi

- Blade length: 102.6 cm
- Curvature: 3.2 cm
- Mekugi hole: 1
- Motohaba (Width near tang): 32 mm
- Motokasane (Thickness near tang): 7.3 mm
- Sakihaba (Width near tip): 23.7 mm
- Sakikasane (Thickness near tip): 5.4 mm
- Weight: 960 g (blade only)/ 1,210 g (with koshirae)
- Signature: Bicchū no kuni jū Yoshimasa saku/ Reiwa roku nen haru kichijitsu
- Signature translation: Made by Yoshimasa, who lives in Bicchū Province/ A lucky day in spring, 2024
- Era: Modern (2024)
- Construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
- Kitaehada (Grain pattern): Itame
- Hamon (Temper line): Chōji
- Bōshi (Hamon in the tip): Midarekomi
- Tang: Unshortened

An imposing ōdachi that evokes works of the Nanbokuchō Period, this was made by Tomioka Keiichirō (craft name: Yoshimasa) in 2024 at his forge in Sōja, Okayama Prefecture.

A versatile artist, he is an enthusiastic fan of the 14th century Osafune smith Chōgi. “What inspires me most about Chōgi... is his approach. While staying true to his Bizen Tradition roots, he adopted methods and motifs from the Sōshū Tradition and others, combining them to create something utterly novel. Being able to adapt and change, without being chained to the past is something I very much admire.” Best known for his large, impressive blades, his style is one where every element only adds to his works’ imposing appearance, the broad, swelling, roiling waves of his favored gunome chōji temperline pattern bringing to mind the image of a raging sea.

Though still relatively new, he has already racked up numerous top prizes at modern sword craft exhibitions, including the award for best newcomer at the 2020 NBTHK Sword Craft Exhibition and then again at the 2021 Amulet Sword Exhibition.

Boasting a grandiose Nanbokuchō-like shape, this huge ōdachi blade features a highly complex hamon over its itame (woodgrain) jigane (dark steel above the hamon). The regular, highly undulating hamon of chōji (clove blossom), ōchōji (large clove blossom) and koshi no hiraita gunome (broad-based small waves) reaches almost up to the shinogi ridge line. The blade's entire surface covered in abundant jinie (dark spots of coarse steel), the troughs of the hamon contain rich accumulations of nie (coarse steel grains), while within the hamon, linear formations such as sunagashi (parallel line formation) and kinsuji (single shining lines) can be seen across the hamon's length. The hamon terminates in the kissaki (point) with a midarekomi (undulating) bōshi (hamon in the point).

This blade comes with a hōnoki wood shirasaya storage scabbard and 'nijū' (two-part) habaki plated in gold and shakudō, decorated with a traditional 'sayagata' motif.

All masterful examples of sword craftsmanship, the blade, habaki, and saya are all in perfect condition.

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This item will be shipped to you directly from Japan after the transaction is finalized. We will apply for an export permit from Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs and ship it once approval is granted. Please understand that this process takes approximately one month.

Swords will be shipped by air freight (UPS or EMS) in most cases but, should air shipment to the winning bidder's country not be possible, it will be sent by sea. In Belgium, private sales of Japanese swords are prohibited by law, so bids from Belgium are not permitted.