{"product_id":"antique-japanese-sword-katana-by-tachibana-munehiro-with-golden-koshirae","title":"Antique Japanese Sword Katana by Tachibana Munehiro with Golden Koshirae","description":"\u003cp\u003e This exquisite katana represents a modern convergence of traditional craftsmanship and historical lineage, carrying forth the spirit of Japanese sword-making. Crafted in the\u003cstrong\u003e Showa era\u003c\/strong\u003e, the blade is the work of \u003cstrong\u003eTachibana Munehiro\u003c\/strong\u003e, an accomplished smith from Yo Shu (modern-day \u003cstrong\u003eEhime Prefecture\u003c\/strong\u003e). \u003cstrong\u003eCreated in July 1987 at the behest of Ashitate Yasushi\u003c\/strong\u003e, the General Director of the Otsuki School of Swordsmanship, this katana evokes the strength and discipline of a time-honored martial tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe katana's nagasa, measures \u003cstrong\u003e2 shaku 1 sun 5 rin\u003c\/strong\u003e (63.8 cm\/ 25.11 inches), with a sori (curve) of 1.4 cm \/ 0.55 inches. Rendered in the iconic \u003cstrong\u003eshinogi-zukuri style\u003c\/strong\u003e with an \u003cstrong\u003eiori-mune\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003echu-gissaki\u003c\/strong\u003e, the blade features an \u003cstrong\u003eubu nakago\u003c\/strong\u003e, skillfully finished with \u003cstrong\u003ekesho yasuri-me\u003c\/strong\u003e, and one mekugi-ana.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe total length of the Katana is 93 cm (36,6 inches).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMunehiro’s meticulous craftsmanship is on full display through the blade's \u003cstrong\u003eGunome-choji-midare hamon\u003c\/strong\u003e, characterized by a play of deep\u003cstrong\u003e ashi and fine sunagashi\u003c\/strong\u003e, over a bed of \u003cstrong\u003etight itame\u003c\/strong\u003e covered in delicate \u003cstrong\u003eji-nie\u003c\/strong\u003e that contributes to a textured and vibrant landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eTachibana Munehiro Background :\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTachibana Munehiro, whose real name was Toriu Hiromu, was born on September 5, 1925, in Ehime Prefecture. His sword smithing journey began in 1939 under his father Hiromasa's guidance, a student of the celebrated smith Takahashi Yoshimune. Munehiro thus carries the lineage of Takahashi Yoshimune, whose brother, Takahashi Sadatsugu, was the first to receive the distinguished title of \u003cstrong\u003e\"Ningen Kokuho\" or \"Living National Treasure.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e This lineage fostered many exceptional smiths, highly regarded for their work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring World War II, in 1942, Munehiro further honed his skills in the Kokura Rikugun Zoheisho, an Imperial Army Factory located in Kokura city, Kyushu. Post-war, he transitioned to blacksmithing, crafting farming tools, before returning to his passion for swordsmithing in 1969.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMunehiro’s sword displays the \u003cstrong\u003eBizen style\u003c\/strong\u003e of his lineage, featuring a florid gunome-choji hamon, a tight itame hada, and a commanding shape. The blade is housed in an elegantly crafted koshirae, featuring a gold foil, two-piece habaki, ensuring preservation and longevity of this masterpiece. Complementing the blade, the koshirae boasts a stunning gold and shakudo nanako tsuba, gold and shakudo nanako fuchi-gashira signed by Ooka Masatsugu, and matching gold and shakudo menuki.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOoka Masatsugu was the third master of the Ooka school, who lived and worked in Edo in the early 1800s. As a branch of the renowned Hamano school, the Ooka school served the Owari Tokugawa family, thus adding another layer of historical significance to this piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis katana is not just a blade; it’s a testament to Japanese tradition, meticulously crafted by a distinguished smith, and a reflection of the noble martial ethos of the Otsuki School of Swordsmanship. This blade carries forth an epic tale, intertwining history, lineage, and tradition with each passing cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Tokyo Nihonto","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43199514902611,"sku":null,"price":4350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0651\/8092\/6035\/files\/8_e829f929-2490-4a35-947b-412ef0d0fe4f.png?v=1762246527","url":"https:\/\/hundredswords.store\/products\/antique-japanese-sword-katana-by-tachibana-munehiro-with-golden-koshirae","provider":"hundredswords","version":"1.0","type":"link"}