{"id":31033,"date":"2026-04-11T09:38:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T00:38:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sword-auction.com\/?post_type=product&p=31033"},"modified":"2026-04-11T09:38:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T00:38:37","slug":"as25792-katana%ef%bc%9ahorimono-ikkanshi-technique-ryuouji-minamoto-sadatsugu-kao-a-lucky-day-in-january-1955-carving-by-the-same-artist-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-token","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/sword-auction.com\/en\/product\/31033\/as25792-katana%ef%bc%9ahorimono-ikkanshi-technique-ryuouji-minamoto-sadatsugu-kao-a-lucky-day-in-january-1955-carving-by-the-same-artist-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-token\/","title":{"rendered":"AS25792 Katana\uff1aHorimono Ikkanshi technique Ryuouji Minamoto Sadatsugu (kao) A lucky day in January, 1955 Carving by the same artist (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ordering Number: AS25792<\/p>\n

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)<\/p>\n

Signature: Horimono Ikkanshi technique
\nRyuouji Minamoto Sadatsugu (kao)
\nA lucky day in January, 1955
\nCarving by the same artist
\n\u5f6b\u7269\u4e00\u7aff\u5b50\u624b\u6cd5
\n\u9f8d\u738b\u5b50\u6e90\u8c9e\u6b21(\u82b1\u62bc)
\n\u662d\u548c\u4e09\u5341\u5e74\u6b63\u6708\u5409\u65e5
\n\u5f6b\u540c\u4f5c<\/p>\n

Living National Treasure 1st designation<\/p>\n

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
\nThis work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Ryuouji Minamoto Sadatsugu.<\/p>\n

Habaki:
\nBlade Length: 71.82 cm (28.28 in).
\nCurvature: 2.58 cm (1.02 in).
\nMekugi Hole: 1.
\nWidth at Base (Motohaba): 3.41 cm (1.34 in).
\nWidth at Tip: 2.42 cm (0.95 in).
\nThickness: 0.81 cm (0.32 in).
\nSword Weight: gram.
\nEra: Carved on a lucky day in January, 1955.<\/p>\n

Shape: Wide mihaba, thick kasane, with deep curvature and a standard kissaki.
\nOn the omote, the inscription \u201cIkkanshi technique\u201d is carved along with a dragon by the artist himself, and on the ura, plum blossoms and bamboo are carved.
\nThe carvings are truly magnificent and \u0909\u0924\u094d\u0915\u0943\u0937\u094d\u091f.<\/p>\n

Jigane: Fine ko-itame hada is tightly forged, resulting in excellent steel.
\nHamon: A well-executed choji-midare with active irregular pattern.<\/p>\n

Takahashi Kinichi Sadatsugu was a swordsmith from Ehime Prefecture recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property, that is, a Living National Treasure.
\nHe produced many swords dedicated to shrines and presented to the Imperial Household, and in 1938 he received the Prime Minister\u2019s Award at the 1st Sword Exhibition.<\/p>\n

In the past, I purchased a tanto in the American market.
\nThat tanto was very similar to one with carvings that the Japanese government presented to Lieutenant General Uokawa around 1949 after Japan\u2019s defeat in the war.
\nThe tanto of Lt. Gen. Uokawa had a large dragon carving and on the reverse side beautifully carved plum and bamboo motifs, all executed by the same carver.
\nI later purchased a piece with similarly magnificent carvings.
\nThis work, carved by the same artist, is among the finest modern examples.
\nIn the future, it will likely become quite famous, and recently the prices of Japanese swords have risen considerably.
\nIn the past, wakizashi could be purchased at relatively low prices, but it has become increasingly difficult.
\nWell-known works today are expected to rise significantly in value.
\nPlease carefully apply machine oil, maintain the tang, and prevent rust.<\/p>\n

Features: As one of the first designated Living National Treasures, Sadatsugu was highly regarded as a leading master of sword carvings.
\nI once purchased a tanto in the United States, believed to have been sent from Japan in the early postwar period, probably around 1948.
\nThe name of Lt. Gen. Uokawa was clearly engraved on the tang.
\nI later sold that tanto in Japan, but after telling this story to the buyer, he decided not to sell it and took it back.
\nIt is likely still carefully preserved today.
\nI have now acquired this large sword with impressive carvings, perhaps by some fate.
\nLt. Gen. Uokawa died in a car accident during the Korean War.
\nThis sword was made in imitation of the Edo-period master Ikkanshi Tadatsuna, as indicated by the carving.
\nIt is a superbly carved work.<\/p>\n

Historical Background: The New Year of 1955 was a time when Japan, having achieved postwar recovery, embraced the dawn of high economic growth known as the \u201cJinmu boom.\u201d
\nBustling districts such as Asakusa regained vitality, and family traditions like mochi pounding, formal greetings in festive attire, and gatherings in tatami rooms were central, reflecting a transition from monochrome to color era.
\nSocial Conditions: Ten years after the war, Japan stood at the threshold of rapid economic growth.<\/p>\n

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
\nAoi Art estimation paper
\nWhole Oshigata:<\/p>\n

*International shipping not included separately.<\/p>\n

Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>
\n\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ordering Number: AS25792 Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Signature: Horimono Ikkanshi technique Ryuouji Minamoto Sadatsugu (kao) A lucky day in January, 1955 Carving by the same artist \u5f6b\u7269\u4e00\u7aff\u5b50\u624b\u6cd5 \u9f8d\u738b\u5b50\u6e90\u8c9e\u6b21(\u82b1\u62bc) \u662d\u548c\u4e09\u5341\u5e74\u6b63\u6708\u5409\u65e5 \u5f6b\u540c\u4f5c Living National Treasure 1st designation (We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku). […]\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":[],"class_list":["post-31033","product","type-product","status-publish","hentry","product_cat-katana-en","product_cat-sword-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sword-auction.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/31033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sword-auction.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sword-auction.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sword-auction.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}