Osafune Masamitsu is a Jo-saku (superior) swordsmith working in the Bizen tradition during the tumultuous Nambokucho period (mid-1300s). He was a direct student of grandmaster swordsmith Osafune Kanemitsu and was faithful to his sensei’s instruction.

[From Markus Sesko’s translation of Honma Junji’s Nihon-koto-shi – The History of the Kotō Era of Japanese Swords]
There were two major schools of Ichimonji and Osafune in the former period of Bizen Province…Representative smiths of the Osafune school of this period are students of 1st or 2nd Kanemitsu (兼光), like Rin-Tomomitsu (倫光), Motomitsu (基光), Masamitsu (政光) and Shigemitsu (重光) as well as Yoshimitsu (義光) and Yoshikage (義景) who belong to the school. Amongst them, it has been confirmed by their production dates, that Rin-Tomomitsu, Motomitsu, Masamitsu and Shigemitsu were the students of 1st Kagemitsu.

With a cutting edge of over 75cm, a curvature of nearly 3cm and a relatively long kissaki (tip), a clue which places the sword in the Nambokucho period, it’s easy to imagine this impressive sword proudly carried as a tachi on horseback by a samurai warrior.

A gorgeous swirling grain pattern with chikei can be seen in the body of the sword – typical of the great work of the Kanemitsu school. One difference from his master is that the hamon on Masamitsu swords is a little darker in appearance.

Look for the battle scars on the mune (spine) of the sword. This is a blade that surely has stories to tell.

In honour of its tachi heritage, a beautiful handachi koshirae with Higo province fittings and uniquely zen lacquer work was produced for the sword taking the better part of 2016 to complete.

Congratulations Kim,
Pablo

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Item No.: ujka178

Type: Katana (originally a tachi)

Swordsmith: Masamitsu (Kanemitsu School)

Location: Bizen Province

Period: Nambokucho period Enbun to Eiwa eras (1356~1379)

Length: 75.1cm

Curvature: 2.8cm

Motohaba: 3.1cm

Jihada (surface skin): O-hada, mokume and itame hada with chikei and midare utsuri

Nakago (tang): o-suriage

Koshirae: Custom handachi Higo koshirae Edo-period fittings

NBTHK Juyo Token Certificate (a sword designated as Important and Profound by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword)

NBTHK Hozon Token Certificates (a tsuba and pair of menuki designated as Worthy of Preservation by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword)

NTHK-NPO Kanteisho Certificate (a set of matching handachi koshirae fittings designated as Authentic by the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword)

This sword has been SOLD

Please scroll down for descriptive photos of this wonderful piece of Japanese history.

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→ Resource Information on Japanese Swords
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