【Michitoki (4th Generation) — A Swordsmith Who Carried the Pride of the Aizu Samurai】 Michitoki (4th generation) was one of the most celebrated master swordsmiths of the Aizu Shin-shinto tradition, a craftsman so highly trusted that he was commissioned to forge swords for the lord of the Aizu domain himself. His blades are renowned for the remarkable harmony between practical strength and refined beauty — a defining quality of the Aizu forging tradition. Please note that the sword have some imperfections. Among the swordsmiths of Aizu — a region long celebrated for producing blades prized on the actual battlefield — Michitoki stood in a class of his own. He was regarded, alongside the Kanesada lineage, as one of "the two pillars of Aizu Shin-shinto." The Kanesada school of Aizu also counts among its ranks the smith who forged Izumi-no-kami Kanesada, the beloved sword of Hijikata Toshizo, Vice Commander of the Shinsengumi. Aizu has always been a land where the samurai spirit runs deep. Here, a sword was never merely a weapon — it was forged as an embodiment of loyalty and honor. Michitoki (4th generation) was a swordsmith who gave that very spirit of the Aizu warrior a tangible, enduring form. 【Who Were the Aizu Warriors? — The Last Samurai Who Lived by Loyalty and Honor】 Throughout the Edo period, the samurai of the Aizu domain were known as an exceptionally disciplined warrior class, guided by an unwavering creed: "Live with righteousness, know shame, and protect your lord." From childhood, they were rigorously trained in etiquette and moral discipline, swordsmanship and martial arts, and scholarship and Confucian philosophy. It is no wonder that Aizu has long been called "the birthplace of Bushido." Even amidst the upheaval of the Meiji Restoration, they fought on to protect their lord and their people — despite being vastly outnumbered and outmatched. Their unwavering resolve continues to move the hearts of history enthusiasts around the world, and for many, the Aizu samurai represent "Bushido in its most pure and uncompromising form." It was the swords forged by Aizu's master smiths that these warriors trusted with their lives on the battlefield. That is why the work of Michitoki (4th generation) is far more than a weapon. It is "the pinnacle of Bushido — a blade that carries the soul of the Aizu samurai." 【Hamon — The Temper Line】 The hamon features a flowing notare (gentle wave) as its foundation, enriched with interspersed gunome (undulating peaks), creating a dynamic and expressive temper line. The wide yakiba and the rich activity within the hamon make this a deeply rewarding blade to study. Each viewing reveals new subtleties, offering a beauty that never grows old. 【Koshirae — Mountings】 The koshirae is finished in a unified, refined black — a black ishime-nuri lacquered scabbard paired with a black silk-wrapped handle — embodying the dignified aesthetic of the warrior class. The cohesion of the overall design is striking, giving the piece a sharp, austere elegance that speaks directly to the samurai spirit. 【Tsuba — Guard】 A round iron tsuba featuring tomoe and crescent-shaped openwork. The clean, unadorned design reflects the samurai's emphasis on substance over decoration. The vertical yasuri-me (file marks) on the iron surface lend the piece a quiet yet commanding presence. The traces of the craftsman's hand etched into this tsuba continue to carry the spirit of the warrior across the centuries. 【Fuchi-Gashira — Handle Collar and Pommel】 Against a darkened metal ground, a bird rests serenely amid the waves, rendered in gold. Poised with perfect stillness within the raging surf, it stands as a symbol of the warrior's spirit — unmoved by any adversity. The fine craftsmanship and vivid gold work elevate the dignity of the entire koshirae. 【Menuki — Handle Ornaments】 A golden koi rendered with exceptional precision — every scale individually expressed, alive with a sense of movement and vitality. The koi has long been a favored motif among the warrior class, symbolizing achievement, victory, and an indomitable spirit. Evoking the legend of the "Dragon Gate," where a koi ascending a waterfall transforms into a dragon, this motif speaks quietly but powerfully of the samurai's ambition and resolve. 【Size】 ・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 【Shipping costs】 Free shipping to all countries. 【Attention before bid】 This is a genuine Japanese sword that has never left Japan. To export it, we are required to obtain an export permit from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Please allow approximately 30 business days from the time of payment before the shipping process can begin. Shipping is primarily handled by air freight. We have recent experience shipping to Germany and France. If air freight is not available for your country, we will ship by sea, which takes approximately 2–3 months. We have recent experience shipping by sea to the Netherlands and Slovakia. If you reside in another country and wish to receive your order smoothly, we recommend arranging a delivery address in France or Germany, as this will allow us to ship by air. Please note that due to current regulations, we are unable to ship to Italy, the United States, Russia, or China. Additionally, we cannot ship to any country where the import of swords is prohibited. Please confirm the regulations in your country before placing a bid. Thank you for your understanding.