Katana - Japan - Early Edo period

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Inscription: Kamiusa Kami Munemichi 上総守宗道 - Echizen Ju 越前住

AOI categorizes swords based on their craftsmanship as top-notch, excellent, high-quality, and standard. This sword is classified as a high standard work.

Habaki: Gold-colored Habaki.
Blade Length: 49.0cm or 19.3 in
Curvature: 0.8cm or 0.3 in
Mekugi Hole: 1
Motohaba (Width at Base): 3.0 cm or 1.2 in
Sakihaba (Width at Tip): 2.3 cm or 0.9 in
Nagasa (Cutting Edge Length): 0.6 cm or 0.2 in
Weight: 465 grams

Era:　the early Edo period around the late 17the century.
Shape: Regular width and slightly thick Wakizashi.
Jigane: Masame Hada with a lot of Chikei.
Hamon: A lively gunome midare

Features: Kamiusa kami Munemichi was active around the Kanbun era in Echizen area. The chikei of this sword looks like masame-hada are very atttractive. 

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round shaped iron tsuba, with carving of shell and wave. Inscription:
Fuchi-Kashira: Shakudo-nanako plate with high-relief carving of peony.
Saya: Black lacquered saya with chrysanthemum
Menuki : Shakudo carving of flowers
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako plate with high-relief carving of samurai.
Kogatana: Kobayashi Kawachi Kami Kuni ??
Kogai: Shakudo nanako plate with high relief carving of plants. 

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Paper
NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Tosogu paper
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata

UPGRADE: TSUBA, KOGAI, KOZUKA & KOGATANA
TSUBA
Yoshioka School Tsuba – NBTHK Hozon
School: Yoshioka School (attributed by NBTHK)
Signature: Mumei (unsigned)
Period: Edo period (1603–1868)
Material: Shakudō with a fine nanako surface
Shape: Tatemaru-gata
Dimensions: 7.33 × 7.06 cm
Rim Thickness: 0.39 cm
Weight: 143 grams
Papers: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu
Storage: Includes original kiri-bako (paulownia wood box)

Description
An elegant Yoshioka School tsuba executed in high-quality shakudō featuring a fine nanako ground. Along the rim, autumn plants and insects are subtly rendered with gold accents (iroe-zōgan). The understated design and refined workmanship are characteristic of the Kyoto tradition of the Yoshioka School.

Key Features
Certification: NBTHK Hozon certificate no. 459614.
Attribution: Official NBTHK attribution to the Yoshioka School.
Artistry: A beautiful example of Edo period kinko (soft metal) artistry.
Aesthetics: Perfect balance between an understated composition and refined decoration.
Value: A highly collectible piece with official Japanese certification.

The Yoshioka School was active in Kyoto and is renowned for its sophisticated work in shakudō and gold inlay. While not as rare as top-tier masterpieces by Goto masters, Yoshioka is highly esteemed by serious tosogu collectors for its superb quality and classical aesthetics. A Hozon-certified example like this represents an highly attractive segment of collectible Edo period tsuba.
KOGAI, KOZUKA & KOGATANA
Futatokoro-mono (Kozuka & Kogai Set) – NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu
Type: Futatokoro-mono (matching kozuka and kogai)
Artist: Etsujō (悦乗)
Signature: Mumei (unsigned), attributed to Etsujō
Period: Edo period (1603–1868)
Material: Shakudō with a fine nanako surface
Decoration: Botanzu (peony sprays) with colored metal inlay
Kogai Dimensions: 21.1 × 1.2 cm
Kozuka Dimensions: 9.6 × 1.4 × 0.45 cm
Papers: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu
Storage: Original kiri-bako (paulownia wood box)

Description
A highly refined Futatokoro-mono consisting of a matching kozuka and kogai. Executed in premium shakudō with a fine nanako ground, it is decorated with peony sprays (botan) in vibrant, colored metal inlay. The set has been officially attributed by the NBTHK at the Tokubetsu Hozon level to Etsujō, a revered master within the Goto tradition.

Key Features
Certification: High-tier NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certification.
Attribution: Attributed to Goto Etsujō (悦乗).
Workmanship: Classical Edo period kinko craftsmanship.
Completeness: A fully matching set (kozuka and kogai).
Quality: Collector-grade set with outstanding artistic finish.


Kogatana – Ozaki Minamoto Goemon Suketaka
Smith: Ozaki Minamoto Goemon Suketaka
Type: Kogatana in shirasaya
Period: Edo period
Total Length: 21.0 cm
Blade Length (Nagasa): 12.0 cm
Width (Motohaba): 1.24 cm
Storage: Kiri-bako

Description
An original Edo period kogatana bearing the inscription "Ozaki Minamoto Goemon Suketaka". The blade is preserved in its own custom shirasaya and serves as an excellent addition to high-grade koshirae. The combination of a Tokubetsu Hozon Etsujō futatokoro-mono with a signed kogatana makes this an exceptionally attractive ensemble for connoisseurs of fine tosogu.

Key Features
Blade: Signed kogatana blade.
Storage: Accompanied by its own shirasaya and kiri-bako.
Synergy: Pairs beautifully with the Etsujō kozuka.
Enhancement: Elevates the prestige and completeness of a luxury koshirae fitting.

The name Etsujō will instantly resonate with collectors, and Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu status is significantly rarer than standard Hozon. This elevates the quality of this set far grandmother average kozuka/kogai combinations found on the market today. The addition of an independently signed kogatana makes this entire ensemble a standout piece.

Evaluation of the Ensemble
1. Assessment of the Blade (Munemichi)
The Smith's Status: Munemichi was a highly respected smith of the Echizen Shimosaka School. His swords are renowned for their powerful, active temper lines (hamon), often displaying gunome-ba(undulating patterns) or suguha (straight line). Experts look for these specific stylistic traits to be crisp, clear, and free of flaws (kizu) within the steel.
The Signature (Mei): Munemichi frequently used his long signature, incising his title Kazusa no Kami Fujiwara Munemichi (上総守藤原宗道). An intact, clear signature on the tang (nakago) adds significant market value compared to an unsigned (mumei) example.
Tokubetsu Hozon Status: This NBTHK certificate not only guarantees the authenticity of the smith but also confirms that the blade is in an excellent, healthy condition and possesses high artistic merit.

2. Assessment of the "Extraordinary Koshirae"
For a wakizashi, an exceptional mounting can sometimes double the overall value of the object. Experts evaluate this based on the following criteria:
Thematic Unity: In a high-grade mounting, the tsuba (handguard), fuchi-kashira (handle fittings), and menuki (hilt ornaments under the wrapping) all share a unified artistic theme (such as autumn leaves, dragons, or specific family crests/mon).
Craftsmanship of the Fittings: Metal components created or signed by a recognized master school—such as the Gotō, Mino, or Nara schools—drastically elevate the assessment. Gold and silver inlay (zōgan) applied to a base of precious shakudō (a copper-gold alloy) immediately increases the piece's prestige.
Condition of the Saya (Scabbard): High-end lacquerwork—such as maki-e gold lacquer, radenmother-of-pearl inlay, or rare textured lacquers—must be free from dents, modern restorations, and cracks.