Bishu Osafune Shuri no Suke Morimitsu is one of the Oei no San Mitsu (three “Mitsu” smiths of the Oei era 1394~1427) during the early Muromachi period. The other two of the three are his father Moromitsu and his younger brother Yasumitsu. The three smiths together are considered to be the finest swordsmiths active during this period.

Kokan Nagayama author of The Connoisseurs Book of Japanese Swords writes that these three smiths are “very famous and excellent (p 184).” Today many highly rated swords exist from these three masters at the most prestigious levels, including Kokuho (National Treasures).

A most splendid and unique koshirae embraces this wakizashi. The kokutan (ebony) handle is accented with konjiki gold deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively). According to legend, the Milky Way separates these lovers, allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the luni-solar calendar.

The kawari-saya (scabbard) is uguisu lacquered (olive-green) with gold and black in the likeness of falling rain. Han-tachi (half tachi) elements made of shibuichi alloy contain the fearless tombo (dragonfly), butterfly and ladybird. Notice how the silver habaki is in the form of Mount Fuji.

Sword was one of the very first registered in the prestigious Daimyo year of 1951 (Showa 26). It’s registration number is just 443.

*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.

> Contact Unique Japan

> Back to sword collection