Two courts, sixty years of war, and the most dramatic silhouettes in the sword’s history: broad blades, extended points, true ōdachi later cut down into the majestic katana collectors prize. The Sōshū manner was the style of the age.
NihontoWatchNihontoWatchA wakizashi koshirae that enhances its aesthetic beauty with a stylish design of various flowers coloring the fields arranged in circular patterns as saya decoration using the kinpun makie technique, equipped with matching kikkazu menuki, akigusa ni misuzu fuchigashira, and kirimonzu warikogai. It is fitted with a shakudo isshoku tsuba featuring nanako over the entire surface. The edagiku-zu menuki are works in shakudo with kin-gin iroe, consisting of delicate horikuchi in the Goto style. The akigusa ni mushizukushi fuchigashira is signed Mino-ju Mitsunaka in the Mino fukabori style, featuring kin-gin iroe on a shakudo ground. The tsuka is wrapped with large-grained samegawa and tightened with kuro-ito. The kirimonzu warikogai and komahiki saru-zu kozuka also have a good atmosphere. What draws the heart is likely the saya. On a kurourushinuri ground that feels strongly reddish with the passage of time, maruhana-mon are scattered using kin-gin-fun makie, with minute aogai scattered in parts to produce the elegance of kage-makie. There are uchikomi-kizu on a portion of the saya.
NihontoWatchOffered by Choshuya
We couldn’t find current papers for this piece. Ask the dealer whether it has been, or can be, submitted to shinsa. — Hoshi
19 on the market
Machine translation from the shop's Japanese · may contain errors ·
Kinko · Mino
19 pieces on the market now
The Mino metalworking tradition emerged as a distinct school of early kinkō (sword-fittings artisans) active from the late Muromachi period through the Momoyama era. Rooted in the broader stream of ko-kanagu-shi (early metal-fittings makers), Mino craftsmen developed alongside but separate from the courtly Gotō lineage, serving a different aesthetic sensibility. Their chronological range extended through the transition into the early Edo period, though the tradition's characteristic vocabulary crystallized during the turbulent decades of the late sixteenth century. The hallmark of Mino workmanship lies in its distinctive approach to relief carving and decorative treatment. Rather than the refined, minutely detailed dragons favored by the Gotō house, Mino artisans developed the specialized "Mino dragon" (Mino-ryū) idiom: large-scale compositions executed in usukin-dashi (thin raised metal), characterized by sinuous, writhing forms with extensive sukashi (openwork).
Beyond dragon motifs, Mino craftsmen rendered auspicious subjects—cranes, turtles, pine, and bamboo—as well as floral designs such as wisteria in karakusa (arabesque) arrangements. The technical vocabulary consistently emphasizes vigorous yōbori (high-relief carving) with robust, thick-boned modeling and forceful execution, often on grounds of shakudō nanako-ji or solid gold, with enrichment through gold iroe and inlay. Works attributed to the Mino school are valued for their sumptuous materiality and animated sculptural presence. The tradition's preference for deeply cut relief with pronounced peaks and valleys creates a dynamic visual effect distinct from the more restrained aesthetic of contemporary Kyoto workshops. Surviving examples of Mino metalwork—ranging from menuki and kogai to complete koshirae suites—document a regional aesthetic that prioritized bold composition and vigorous carving over courtly refinement, reflecting the martial culture of the Sengoku and early unification periods. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Mitsuharu光春 | — | 0 |
| Mitsunaka光仲 | — | 0 |
| Mitsunobu光伸 | — | 0 |
| Nakayuki仲之 | — | 0 |
| Nagamasa長正 | — | 0 |
The Nanbokuchō period (1333 to 1392)
Two courts, sixty years of war, and the most dramatic silhouettes in the sword’s history: broad blades, extended points, true ōdachi later cut down into the majestic katana collectors prize. The Sōshū manner was the style of the age.
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
If, due to our fault, the item differs significantly from its proper condition, the item may be returned. Cooling-off is within one week of the item's arrival.
¥400,000