NihontoWatchDuring the Second World War, swordsmith Chôunsai Emura – born Emura Shigetato in Tokushima on the island of Shikoku – operated a remarkable sword-making school on the grounds of Okayama Prison. He made blades himself and trained selected prisoners to produce swords in support of the Japanese war effort. Emura died in 1960, leaving behind a body of work that is now actively sought by collectors: his blades are distinguished by a bright, tightly worked gunome-chôji-midare hamon in the classic Bizen tradition, a style he made his signature. This muscular katana exemplifies Emura’s best work. The blade carries a strong presence in hand at 730g with a pronounced sori of 1.4cm – a practical and purposeful shape. The gunome-chôji-midare hamon is bright and active throughout, consistent from the base to the kissaki. The nakago is ubu, original and unaltered, with a clear six-character signature: Chôunsai Emura saku (Shôwa). Two NBTHK Hozon certificates have been issued for the blade, and an NTHK-NPO Kanteisho accompanies the koshirae. The custom koshirae is a compelling piece in its own right. The saya is finished in nashiji-style brown lacquer, the tsuka wrapped in natural kawa (skin) over same (ray skin). The tsuba is a fine polished brass antique piece attributed to the Hirado school (mid-Edo, circa 1700-1780), depicting a dragon rising through clouds – authenticated by NTHK-NPO Kanteisho. The fuchi-kashira is attributed to the Shônai school, bearing a bold spider motif, also NBTHK Hozon certified. The menuki carry a lucky gods theme. Together the fittings form a sword of vivid character and genuine collector appeal.
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Kochi · around 1926-1989
Shōwa to the present: destruction and revival
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
Certifies a genuine blade worth preserving: a signature confirmed correct, or, if unsigned, an era, province, and school that the NBTHK can reliably identify.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteAll swords come with a three-day inspection period beginning from the date of delivery. If not satisfied, the sword may be returned within this period for a full refund of the purchase price. Outside of this period, all sales are final. Swords purchased on a layaway payment plan are not eligible for the three-day inspection period.