{"product_id":"antique-japanese-katana-sword-ryokai-shigeyoshi-hozon","title":"Antique Japanese Katana Sword Ryokai Shigeyoshi - Hozon","description":"\u003csection class=\"product\"\u003e\u003cheader\u003e\u003c\/header\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"specs\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (Mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e Ryōkai Shigeyoshi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSchool \/ Tradition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tsukushi Ryōkai \/ Yamashiro-den lineage (Rai group)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod \/ Province:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid–Muromachi (Chōroku era, 1457–1460) \/ Bungo (Ōita)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertificate:\u003c\/strong\u003e NBTHK Hozon (保存刀剣)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Handachi-style koshirae; gold-foil (kin-kise) habaki\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Length (Nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 72.7 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (Sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.1 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at Base (Motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 30.9 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at Base (Motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.4 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at Tip (Sakihaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 19.8 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at Tip (Sakikasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.9 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMekugi-ana:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shinogi-zukuri\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShirasaya:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not newly made, relatively recent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good; minor scratches visible in raking light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA refined katana signed by \u003cstrong\u003eRyōkai Shigeyoshi\u003c\/strong\u003e, a notable master of the Tsukushi Ryōkai school. The blade presents an elegant \u003cstrong\u003eshinogi-zukuri\u003c\/strong\u003e form with lively curvature and a soft \u003cem\u003eutsuri\u003c\/em\u003e rising across the ji—hallmarks of the \u003cstrong\u003eYamashiro-den\u003c\/strong\u003e taste inherited from the Rai lineage. It is accompanied by \u003cstrong\u003eNBTHK Hozon\u003c\/strong\u003e papers attesting to authenticity, preservation, and artistic value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeometry is healthy and proportions are well-balanced for a dignified, classical look. The nakago bears a clear inscription, and overall the blade remains in \u003cstrong\u003every good condition\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"koshirae\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ekoshirae\u003c\/strong\u003e is newly custom-made and finished in coordinated gold and black for a formal aesthetic:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTsuba:\u003c\/strong\u003e Radiating sunburst plate with fan-like openwork rim and a small sakura in relief; richly gilt for a bright, ceremonial impression.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFuchi:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gilt fuchi with raised landscape (mountain ridge) motif matching the tsuba’s tone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKashira:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark, woodgrain-textured cap with a tight, neat end-knot finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTsuka:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light gold-brown \u003cem\u003eito\u003c\/em\u003e over white \u003cem\u003esamegawa\u003c\/em\u003e; diamonds show even, prominent nodes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMenuki:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold-toned \u003cem\u003emon\u003c\/em\u003e designs—a chrysanthemum, a cherry blossom, and an abstract crest—set low on the tsuka for grip and visual harmony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaya:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glossy black lacquer saya paired with a \u003cstrong\u003egolden sageo\u003c\/strong\u003e for a harmonious, formal presentation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHabaki:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold-foil (\u003cem\u003ekin-kise\u003c\/em\u003e) habaki and uses approximately \u003cstrong\u003e6–10 g\u003c\/strong\u003e of thick gold with intrinsic precious-metal value.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA relatively recent \u003cstrong\u003eshirasaya\u003c\/strong\u003e is also included for safe storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSwordsmith Background\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRyōkai Shigeyoshi\u003c\/strong\u003e is a representative master of the \u003cstrong\u003eTsukushi Ryōkai school\u003c\/strong\u003e, active in the mid–Muromachi period—especially the \u003cstrong\u003eChōroku era (1457–1460)\u003c\/strong\u003e—in \u003cstrong\u003eBungo (Ōita)\u003c\/strong\u003e. His workmanship carries the refined \u003cstrong\u003eYamashiro-den\u003c\/strong\u003e taste of the Rai lineage, expressed in dignified shapes and tasteful jihada\/hamon activity. Signed examples by Shigeyoshi are \u003cstrong\u003escarce\u003c\/strong\u003e and highly regarded among collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSchool History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eRyōkai\u003c\/strong\u003e line originates in \u003cstrong\u003eYamashiro (Kyoto)\u003c\/strong\u003e within the celebrated \u003cstrong\u003eRai\u003c\/strong\u003e group; Ryōkai is traditionally linked to \u003cstrong\u003eRai Kuniyuki\u003c\/strong\u003e and his younger brother \u003cstrong\u003eRai Kunitoshi\u003c\/strong\u003e. Amid the Nanbokuchō turmoil in the late 14th century, successors relocated to Kyūshū and established the \u003cstrong\u003eTsukushi Ryōkai\u003c\/strong\u003e. Smiths of this branch commonly adopted the character \u003cstrong\u003e「能」 (Yoshi)\u003c\/strong\u003e in their art-names (e.g., \u003cstrong\u003e重能\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e秀能\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e宣能\u003c\/strong\u003e), preserving the elegant \u003cstrong\u003eYamashiro-den\u003c\/strong\u003e aesthetic while developing a regional identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Tokyo Nihonto","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43199489605715,"sku":"689c74dd7dc2d","price":9300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0651\/8092\/6035\/files\/Katana43_0035_GenerativeFill2.jpg?v=1762246396","url":"https:\/\/hundredswords.store\/products\/antique-japanese-katana-sword-ryokai-shigeyoshi-hozon","provider":"hundredswords","version":"1.0","type":"link"}