Swordsmith Masanobu hails from Kai province, modern-day Yamanashi prefecture, the home of Mount Fuji. His career took him to Yamato province (Nara prefecture), where he continued to forge swords until he retired.

This is a splendid wakizashi with an outstanding wavy gunome-midare hamon beautifully complimented with a matching set of fittings of Japan’s imperial flower, the kiku (chrysanthemum).

The fuchigashira (collar/pommel) is made from shakudo in Mino tradition and the artwork features a butterfly nestled within the flowers.

A most unique iron tsuba (guard) depicts Japan’s most celebrated of symbols, Mt. Fuji. It is a fitting tribute to Masanobu’s home province.

There is also a charming kozuka (paper knife) nestled in the saya made out of shakudo in the form of a koto (Japanese stringed musical instrument) with a bouquet of flowers with inscription “Inoue Shinkai”. Inoue-san worked in Settsu (Osaka) during the early Edo period.

Shinkai is known as “The Masamune of Osaka” given his outstanding skills as a swordsmith. Many katana and tachi made by him are treated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

This sword was sold at The Okinawa Sword Show V.

*Photos by Eric Bossick for Unique Japan

If owning an authentic Japanese Samurai sword is of interest to you and your family, we would be honoured to serve you.

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

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

To those exploring our collection online, be sure to download our catalogue of available swords here.

We completely respect the fact it takes a HUGE leap of personal FAITH in us to commit to a particular sword given the reliance on photos and descriptions for such a highly valued item.

It is our PROMISE to address all your questions to the best of our ability. It’s important to us that you feel completely confident that the sword you choose (and that chooses you) is destined for you and your family.

You can also take reassurance that ALL swords from Unique Japan are GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC and come with a 3-DAY WORRY FREE inspection period upon arrival to your home.

Yes, it is completely legal to own a genuine antique Japanese sword (even those that are several hundreds of years old). Unique Japan specialises in all proper legal compliances so that swords can be exported from Japan.
All required paperwork is provided free of charge for clients.

Unique Japan has safely sent well over 150 swords FROM Japan to immensely proud owners in the United States, Canada, Europe and around the world.

We look forward to making your dream of owning an authentic Japanese sword a reality for you.

→ 7 Points to Consider when Choosing your Japanese Sword
→ 5 Steps to Owning an Authentic Japanese Samurai Sword
→ Download catalogue of currently available Japanese swords
→ PARTS of a Japanese Sword and Mountings (High-quality images)
→ 7 reasons WHY I love Japanese swords
→ Resource Information on Japanese Swords
→ NBTHK Certification Paper Ranking for Japanese Swords
→ NTHK-NPO Certification Paper Ranking for Japanese Swords