Antique Japanese Katana Sword signed Hitachi no Kami Muneshige, NBTHK Hozon

• Signature (Mei): Hitachi no Kami Muneshige
• Swordsmith: Muneshige, disciple of the first Sukehira and brother-disciple of the second Sukehira
• School / Tradition: Osaka Shintō tradition; influenced by the great master Sukehira
• Period / Province: Early Edo period / Settsu (Osaka)
• Certificate: NBTHK Hozon
• Mounting: Shirasaya with plain wooden saya and tsuka; silver foil habaki
• Blade Length (Nagasa): 71.8 cm
• Curvature (Sori): 0.9 cm
• Mekugi-ana: 1
• Motohaba / Motokasane: 31.4 mm / 6.8 mm
• Sakihaba / Sakikasane: 21.0 mm / 4.9 mm
• Shape: Shinogi-zukuri
• Hamon: Dynamic ō-notare-midare, with strong activity
• Jihada: Well-forged itame with ji-nie, typical of early Osaka shintō

A masterpiece katana by Hitachi no Kami Muneshige, a direct disciple of the first Sukehira and brother-disciple of the famed second Sukehira. This sword exemplifies the early Osaka shintō tradition, showing the vigor and artistry of the school’s formative years.

The blade measures 71.8 cm with a gentle 0.9 cm sori, broad at the base (motohaba 31.4 mm) and tapering elegantly toward the kissaki. Its robust construction, with motokasane of 6.8 mm, conveys strength and presence. The hamon is a splendid ō-notare-midare, a billowing wave pattern filled with active hataraki (activities) such as ashi and yo, creating a lively interplay of light across the hardened edge.

In the jihada, a well-forged itame with ji-nie speaks to the craftsmanship of the Osaka smiths, whose work combined refined forging with flamboyant temper lines. This sword captures the dawn of the Muneshige school style, a period when creativity and technical brilliance flourished in Osaka’s swordmaking circles.

Housed in a plain shirasaya with a silver foil habaki, the blade is preserved in elegant simplicity, ensuring appreciation of its form and metallurgy. For the serious collector, this represents a rare opportunity to acquire a work by a significant Osaka master connected to the great Sukehira line.