Katana - Japon

Katana Niwa Kanenobu Important Intangible Cultural Property NBTHK Hozon.

This exceptional katana was forged in 1968 (Shōwa 43) by Niwa Kanenobu, also known as Tamba Shūji, one of the most important post war masters of the Mino (Nōshū) tradition and a state-recognized preserver of traditional swordmaking and swordsmith engraving.

Niwa Kanenobu (丹波守兼信), born Niwa Shūji in 1903, was trained by his father Niwa Kanematsu (Kanenobu) and devoted over sixty years to the art of swordmaking. In 1973 (Shōwa 48), he was designated Important Intangible Cultural Property of Gifu Prefecture as a holder of the traditional techniques of Japanese sword forging and horimono. Only two lineages—Kanenobu and the Gassan school were officially recognized for swordsmith-executed engraving, placing his work among the rarest of the Shōwa period.

Horimono Blade Engraving

The blade is richly adorned with exceptionally refined horimono, executed personally by Kanenobu

A ken (straight ritual sword) runs along the main face of the blade, rendered with crisp, symmetrical lines and excellent depth control.

The ken is accompanied by vajra-inspired elements and flowing ornamental details, strongly associated with esoteric Buddhist symbolism (Mikkyō), representing the cutting away of ignorance and the triumph of wisdom.

On the opposite side, a bo-hi is carved with remarkable precision, contributing to both visual balance and structural harmony.

The engraving displays extraordinary technical confidence: the transitions are clean, the lines are alive, and the polish reveals subtle relief without harshness. This level of horimono is only encountered on blades made by true engraving masters, not workshop engravers or later specialists. It is a defining hallmark of Kanenobu’s highest-grade works.

Blade Specifications

Blade length: 71.6 cm (2 shaku 3 sun 6 bu)

Curvature (sori): 1.6 cm

Motohaba (width at hamachi): 3.35 cm

Sakihaba (width at kissaki): 2.25 cm

Kasane (thickness at base): 7 mm

Saki-kasane: 5 mm

Mekugi-ana: 1

Period: Shōwa period (1968)

Province: Gifu (Mino / Nōshū)

Certification: NBTHK Hozon Tōken

Collectability and Importance

This katana represents the mature work of a fully recognized master, combining:

Classical Mino-based sugata

Outstanding forging quality

Museum-level katana, carved horimono by the smith himself

Official NBTHK Hozon authentication

Direct association with a designated Important Intangible Cultural Property holder

Tamba Shūji of Nōshū
NBTHK Hozon Tōken Shōwa 43 (1968)

Blades by Niwa Kanenobu of this caliber are increasingly difficult to acquire and are highly sought after by advanced collectors, museums, and connoisseurs of Shōwa-period masterwork.