NihontoWatchWakizashi: Made by Yanagida Fukutsugu A celebratory month in the year of Kanoe-Tora (Metal Tiger), Heisei era (2010) 柳田福津久作之 平成庚寅年祝月 “Presented to Mr. Hirata Fuhō, inventor of KAATSU training. By Doctor Yoshiaki Sato” 佐藤義昭博士 職平田冨峰氏え加圧トレーニング発明者 Master swordsmith Yanagida Fukutsugu (Intangible Cultural Property holder of Moka City, Tochigi) Yanagida Fukutsugu (柳田福津久), whose real name is Yanagida Ritsuo, is one of the leading modern swordsmiths of Japan and has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Property holder of Moka City, Tochigi. He trained under Living National Treasure Miyairi Yukihira, and is also a senior disciple of the highly regarded Mukansa smith Kubo Yasuhira, placing him within a distinguished lineage of modern masters. In addition to swordsmithing, Fukutsugu studied polishing under the renowned Nagayama Kōkan, and holds advanced credentials connected to the Hon’ami appraisal tradition, reflecting a deep and comprehensive understanding of Japanese swords. In 1990, he was involved in polishing work for the Emperor’s enthronement sword, and later went on to establish the Samurai Sword Museum in Tochigi. The majority of his works are produced on a custom-order basis and are seldom encountered on the open market. In addition to being a Mster swordsmith with formal training in polishing, Yanagida Fukutsugu is also highly knowledgeable in the practical aspects of cutting performance. This is reflected in his achievements, having secured three consecutive overall victories at the All Japan Battōdō Tournament, as well as receiving the Prime Minister’s Award. His blades are therefore not only appreciated for their craftsmanship, but are also highly regarded among martial artists for their cutting ability and functional balance. This daishō set was specially commissioned from Yanagida Fukutsugu by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato, the inventor of KAATSU training, a well-known blood circulation training method. The completed blades were subsequently presented to Mr. Hirata Tomimine, a distinguished martial artist and the 17th-generation descendant of Hirata Shōgen, the grandfather of the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Further information on Mr. Hirata Tomimine can be found in the following article:https://www.chichi.co.jp/info/chichi/pickup_article/2023/202305_hirata/ The inscriptions on both blades clearly record this provenance, indicating a highly intentional and meaningful commission rather than standard production work. The katana was completed first, with the wakizashi following approximately two years later, suggesting the pair was ultimately brought together as a unified daishō and presented as such. Both blades are made in the Kiyomaro style, exhibiting wide mihaba and substantial thickness and a significant O-Kissaki, yet in hand they feel unexpectedly light and exceptionally well-balanced. The handling is smooth and responsive, with a particularly refined draw from the saya, indicating that these blades were made with practical martial use in mind. At the same time, the level of finish is equally impressive. The polish is of high quality, revealing a well-forged jigane with abundant activity, and a lively hamon rich in internal hataraki. This balance between functional performance and refined workmanship reflects a high level of attention from the smith, resulting in blades that are both practical and visually engaging. The set is accompanied by a matching modern koshirae, featuring aogai-nuri (青貝塗) lacquered saya, giving the daishō a cohesive and elegant presentation. Dai (大） Sho (小）
As written by the shop
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.
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.
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¥1,200,000