【Michitoki 4th — A Swordsmith Who Inherited the Pride of the Aizu Samurai】 Michitoki 4th was one of the leading masters of the Aizu Shinshinto tradition, a craftsman so highly trusted that he was even commissioned to forge swords for the lord of the Aizu domain. His blades are renowned for their superb balance of practical strength and elegant beauty, a hallmark of Aizu craftsmanship. Among the swordsmiths of Aizu—famed for forging blades prized on real battlefields— Michitoki rose to such prominence that he was called “one of the two pillars of Aizu Shinshinto,” alongside the celebrated Aizu Kanesada lineage. The Kanesada school, also from Aizu, includes the smiths who forged Izumi no Kami Kanesada, the beloved sword of Hijikata Toshizō, vice-commander of the Shinsengumi. In this way, Aizu has long been regarded as a stronghold of the warrior ethos, where swords were made not just as weapons, but as embodiments of duty and honor. Michitoki 4th was an artisan who gave shape to this very spirit of the Aizu samurai. 【Who Were the Aizu Samurai? — The Last Warriors Who Lived by Devotion and Honor】 Throughout the Edo period, the samurai of the Aizu domain were known as a unique and disciplined group who lived by the creed: “Live with righteousness, know shame, and protect one’s lord.” From childhood, they were rigorously trained in: Etiquette and moral discipline Swordsmanship and martial arts Scholarship and Confucian studies Aizu was even called “the heartland of Bushidō.” During the Meiji Restoration, they fought to protect their lord and their people, even when hopelessly outnumbered—an act that still moves history enthusiasts around the world. In the eyes of many, the Aizu warriors represent “the purest expression of Bushidō.” And the swords they trusted in battle were the blades forged by the swordsmiths of Aizu. Thus, the work of Michitoki 4th is far more than a weapon. It is: “The pinnacle of Bushidō — A blade carrying the soul of the Aizu samurai.” 【Blade/condition】 ・The sword is in very good condition. ・There are some small scratches in places that appear to have been used in actual combat. ・Hamon: Kogunome Midare ・Boshi: Notare-Cho ・Kitae: Masame-Hada ・Koshirae Full length: 100.5cm ・TOTAL Length : 86.6cm ・Blade length: 68.2cm ・Motohaba : 3.1cm ・Motokasane : 0.7cm ・Weight : 0.7kg ・Sori: 1.5cm 【Koshirae】 ・Koshirae was created in the late Edo period. ・The total length is 100 cm and the length of the Tsuka is 24 cm. ・There is minor damage to the saya. ・The black base color is elegant and gives the piece an Edo-era flavor. 【Shipping costs】 Free shipping to all countries. 【Attention before bid】 This is a truly domestic Japanese sword that has never left Japan. To export, we need to obtain an export permit from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. It takes about 25 business days from the time the buyer makes payment to the time the transportation process begins. We have shipped to many countries around the world without any problems, but we may need to consult with you about cancellations in the case of destinations where all carriers refuse to ship. Please note that Katana shipments to China and Russia are prohibited in any case.