Shigekuni was Sai-josaku (grandmaster), one of the finest swordsmiths of Shinto period (1596~1751). His skill was regularly compared with the likes of Horikawa Kunihiro among all the Keicho Shinto smiths. His strength lay in his production of clear and bright jihada (body) and a ha (cutting edge) that was second to none among his contemporaries.

Shigekuni belonged to the Monju-ha of the Yamato Tegai School and served Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu as one of his personal sword makers. After Ieyasu passed away in 1616, Shigekuni followed Ieyasu’s tenth son, Yorinobu to Wakayama in Kishu where Yorinobu founded the Kishu Tokugawa family that became one of the three main Tokugawa families.

This formidable wakizashi holds all the hallmarks of Shigekuni, including a clean masame (straight grain) steel structure and extended kissaki (tip). The koshirae (fittings) consist of a koi (golden carp) cascading up a waterfall, reaching enlightenment upon the successful climb.

Menuki is made out of shakudo designed as an extended pine tree. The tsukamaki (hilt wrap) is a very rare type called Jyabara-maki (string wrap) with rayskin and an o-tsubu (a large node). The maru-tsuba (round guard) is made from shakudo and encompasses a Christian cross, which is also remarkably rare. This is a highly collectible piece of Japanese history.

*All photos taken professionally by Eric Bossick for Unique Japan

To request further information on particular swords that are available in our catalogue (or recently acquired but not listed online) simply contact Unique Japan here.

For steps toward ownership including all payment options, visit 5 Easy Steps to Owning an Authentic Japanese Samurai Sword.

If you have the pleasure of living in Japan or visiting the country, we strongly recommend that you come to one of our upcoming sword shows or book a private VIP meeting with us.

VIP meetings are normally held near Ebisu station at a hired gallery space. We can also arrange visits to a company office, hotel, near the airport or at a private residence.

We have dozens of beautiful authentic Japanese antique swords for you to discover and secure immediate ownership of.

If you cannot make it to a show or in person, but you see something you would like to own from our website please contact Unique Japan for purchase inquiries.

Unique Japan has safely sent well over 100 swords from Japan to the United States and around the world. All legal exportation paperwork is included with every purchase. Please allow about 4 weeks for us to process and ship an order from Japan.

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