Nihonto: Antique Japanese Swords for Sale

This is the inventory page for antique and modern nihonto for sale. If you're looking for fittings they are on the fittings inventory page. If you are new and need some help on some of the ratings terms, try reading the Smith Ratings article.

You can contact me by using the contact button on the upper right hand corner of this website or try me at the following address:

Please read this statement about buying or trading nihonto, tosogu and other artifacts, it covers your rights and mine, and the extent of my guarantee and return policy. The act of sending me funds for purchase is your implicit agreement to these terms, so please read them.

Coming Soon

These antique Japanese swords will be coming to my site soon. Feel free to ask questions.

Yamato Hosho Sadaoki (mumei) tanto, Juyo Token
Awataguchi mumei katana (Hisakuni), new Juyo and Tokuju candidate -hold-
Hosho katana, new Juyo from the last session
Awataguchi mumei katana (Arikuni), Tokubetsu Hozon with very fine tachi koshirae, sending off to Juyo now.
Enju Kunitsuna: very special piece, ubu and signed, mint condition tachi... long mei: Kikuji ju Kunitsuna. With fine tachi koshirae. Old Japanese collection. This blade is in the Kozan Oshigata from a few centuries back. Tokubetsu Hozon and I'll bring it over for photography before putting it into the following Juyo session (not enough time now). -hold-
Rai Kunizane hirazukuri ko-wakizashi, very rare: signed and healthy.... I think only two signed examples exist. In Japan for Juyo.
Osafune Norimitsu, just after Oei, with koshirae.
Naoe Shizu tanto, large size hirazukuri, hamon quite like Shizu, with koshirae.

Available Swords

These modern and antique Japanese swords are currently available for sale:

Ichimonji Norifusa

Jo-jo saku

Middle Kamakura (ca. 1264)

Juyo Token

A very rare signed tachi by one of the pillars of Ichimonji, the famous smith Norifusa.

-please enquire-

Tsunbo Nagatsuna

Jo saku, Wazamono

Kanbun Edo (ca. 1661)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

A wide and powerful blade, a Nanbokucho utsushi seemingly pointed at Chogi, from the Awataguchi Tadatsuna shinto school.

$24,500

Ko-Osafune Nagamitsu

Sai-jo saku, Ryo-wazamono

Late Kamakura (ca. 1295)

Juyo Token

A gorgeous late Kamakura work by the preeminent Bizen smith.

-please enquire-

Soshu Yukimitsu

Sai-jo saku

Late Kamakura (ca. 1310)

Juyo Token

A wide and beautiful sword with kinzogan mei of Yukimitsu, and owner's name (Hayami Sakon) on the ura.

-please enquire- -hold-

Yamashiro Hasebe

Jo-jo saku

Middle Nanbokucho Koto (ca. 1356). On consignment.

Tokubetsu Juyo Token

A massive, brutal katana from the Soshu/Yamashiro Hasebe school, ranked at the highest level.

-please enquire-

Ono Yoshimitsu

Mukansa

Shinsakuto (2017)

Modern Token

A custom ordered daisho from the highly regarded Mukansa smith, in Ichimonji style. On consignment.

$49,500 ~~$59,000~~ sale! -hold-

Legacy Care Kit

A smart, modern, sword care kit. Click on the image to go to the blog post for details.

Free to New Juyo Sword Clients.

Nihonto: Reference Archive

The following swords are not for sale, but presented for education.

Ko-Osafune Kagemitsu

Sai-jo saku

Late Kamakura (ca. 1315)

Tokubetsu Juyo Token

A top level masterpiece work of the Kamakura grand-master.

-sold-

Yoshioka Ichimonji

Jo-jo saku

Late Kamakura (ca. 1315)

Juyo Token

A beautiful work from the Ichimonji school at end of the Kamakura period.

-sold-

Naoe Shizu

Jo-saku

Nanbokucho (ca. 1334-1360)

Juyo Token

A meito from the Edo period, the Imagawa Shizu, formerly in the Sano Museum collection and heirloom of the Imagawa Clan.

-sold-

Awataguchi Norikuni

Jo-jo saku

Early Kamakura (ca. 1230)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

An absolute rarity, a signed early Kamakura tachi by one of the teachers of Emperor Gotoba.

-sold-

Hatakeda Sanemori

Jo-jo saku

Middle Kamakura (ca. 1275)

Tokubetsu Juyo Token

An heirloom of the Shimazu daimyo, with top ranking of Tokubetsu Juyo. A huge, imposing Kamakura masterpiece of the Bizen tradition.

-sold-

Hizen Tadakuni

Jo-saku, Wazamono

Edo Shinto (ca. 1648)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

A sword named Kazetan (Single Wind), bearing a two body gold inlay cutting test.

-sold-

Ko-Yamashiro Gojo

Sai-jo/Jo-jo saku

Heian Koto (ca. 1040)

Juyo Token

An ancient sword, and one of the very few works left that represent the Ko-Yamashiro schools of Sanjo and Gojo. On consignment.

-sold-

Seki Kanemoto

Jo-jo saku, Ryo-wazamono

Late Muromachi

Hozon Token

A long and highly active work, most likely of the third generation of the Kanemoto school, complete with fine tachi koshirae.

-sold-

Tsukamoto Okimasa

Yokozuna

Showa (1943 AD)

Hozon Token

A brilliant Soshu style work from the master WWII era swordsmith.

-sold-

Yamato Shizu Kaneuji

Jo-jo saku

Early Nanbokucho Koto (ca. 1340)

Tokubetsu Juyo Token

A mighty katana with vibrant hataraki in the ji, and an heirloom of the Mori daimyo.

-sold-

Osafune Motoshige

Jo-jo saku, Sai-jo O-wazamono

Nanbokucho

Tokubetsu Juyo Token

A perfect sword, the doom of Asakura Kageharu at the hands of Hayashi Motokatsu.

-sold-

Kamakura-Ichimonji Suketsuna

Sai-jo saku

Kamakura Koto (ca. 1280)

Juyo Token

A very rare katana from the Kamakura branch of Ichimonji, by one of the founding fathers of the Soshu swordsmiths.

-sold-

Heianjo Nagayoshi

Jo-jo saku

Muromachi Koto (ca. 1490)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

A good katana in Yamashiro style by the teacher of Muramasa.

-sold-

Gassan Sadakatsu

Sai-jo saku

Showa Gendaito (1940)

Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho, Hozon Token

A brilliant katana in ayasugi hada, commemorating the 2,600th year of the Empire.

-sold-

Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi

Jo-jo saku ⋅ Sai-jo O-wazamono

Kanbun Shinto (ca. 1680)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

A gorgeous long katana from the highly talented 3rd generation Tadayoshi, and top ranked for sharpness. Accompanied by excellent mounts.

-sold-

Sakakura Masatoshi

Chu-jo saku ⋅ Ryo-wazamono

Muromachi Koto (ca. 1550)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

A very long Muromachi katana by the Seki/Sengo school smith.

-sold-

Shizu Kaneuji and Kikuoka Mitsuaki

Sai-jo saku

Late Kamakura Koto (swords), Late Edo (tosogu)

Hozon Tosogu, Juyo Token, Hozon Token

Matched pair of swords by the Masamune student and Mino founder Shizu Kaneuji, with modern made scabbards featuring antique issaku daisho tosogu by Kikuoka Mitsuaki

-sold-

Soshu Hiromitsu

Sai-jo saku

Nanbokucho Koto (ca. 1360 – 1375)

Juyo Token

Very rare example of the pillar of the Nanbokucho Soshu tradition, in hitatsura and complete with koshirae.

-sold-

Sekishu Naotsuna

Jo-jo saku

Nanbokucho Koto (ca. 1340)

Juyo Token

A highly active and very healthy Soshu sword from one of the famous Masamune Juttetsu.

-sold-

Awataguchi Yoshimitsu

Sai-jo saku

Late Kamakura (ca. 1288)

Juyo Token

A masterpiece from the top tanto maker in history.

-sold-

Saeki Norishige

Sai-jo saku

Late Kamakura Koto (ca. 1332)

Juyo Token

A beautiful katana by one of the best Soshu smiths.

-sold-

Ko-Osafune Kagemitsu

Sai-jo saku

Late Kamakura Koto (ca. 1315)

Juyo Token

A work with vivid utsuri by the best maker of Bizen tanto.

-sold-

Soshu Yukimitsu

Sai-jo saku

Late Kamakura / Early Nanbokucho (ca. 1290)

Tokubetsu Juyo Token

One of the finest blades made by Soshu Yukimitsu, in the style of his teacher Shintogo Kunimitsu.

-sold-

Sekishu Naotsuna

Jo-jo saku

Late Kamakura / Early Nanbokucho (ca. 1334)

Juyo Token

A healthy and gorgeous example of Soshu-den from one of the famous Masamune Juttetsu.

-sold-

Rai Kuniyuki

Sai-jo saku

Early to Mid Kamakura Koto (ca. 1250)

Tokubetsu Juyo Token

A nearly mint condition katana made by the founder of the famous Rai school, from the golden era of the Japanese sword. Top ranked at Tokubetsu Juyo.

-sold-

Hatakeda Moriie

Sai-jo saku

Middle Kamakura Koto (ca. 1259)

Juyo Token

A finely mounted tachi by the famous Kamakura period grandmaster.

-sold-

Ko-Hoki

Heian Koto (ca. 987 - 1050)

Juyo Token

An ancient katana about a thousand years in age, from the school that inspired and challenged Masamune and Norishige to create their masterpieces.

-sold-

Ko-Bizen Tomonari

Sai-jo saku

Late Heian Koto (ca. 987 – 1185)

Juyo Token

The first of eight accepted at the Juyo level by the as works of Ko-Bizen Tomonari, the founder of the Bizen tradition. An extremely precious and ancient blade, its maker very rarely seen. Polished by the Living National Treasure togishi Ono Kokei.

-sold-

Hasebe Kunishige

Chu-jo saku

Nanbokucho Koto (ca. 1370 – 1380)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

A Soshu beautiful tanto in hitatsura by the 2nd generation Hasebe Kunishige, accompanied by koshirae.

-sold-

Shibata Ka

Showa (1945)

A heartfelt katana copying Ichimonji by the scion of the wealthy Shibata, a member of government, sculptor, sword researcher, military man, and known as the shining star of gendai swordsmiths. On the nakago is inscribed a poem of honorable death in the service of the Empire, made during its fall.

-sold-

Hizen Yukihiro

Jo saku

Kanbun Shinto (ca. 1675)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

A shinto katana from the well known Hizen school, complete with koshirae.

-sold-

Ayanokoji Sadatoshi

Sai-jo saku

Early Kamakura (possibly late Heian) Koto (ca. 1200)

Juyo Token

A long tachi of 75 cm, almost ubu, a treasure from the beginning of the Kamakura period. Property of a private collector.

-sold-

Aoe Tsugunao

Jo-jo saku ⋅ Ryo-wazamono

Nanbokucho Koto (ca. 1352)

Juyo Token

A long tachi of 77 cm with rare katana-mei from the top smith of the middle Aoe school, in nearly mint condition.

-sold-

Yosozaemon Sukesada

Sai-jo saku ⋅ O-wazamono

Muromachi Koto (1537)

Juyo Token

A rare and flamboyant hitatsura katana made by one of the best smiths of the Muromachi period, in the style of his most famous work.

-sold-

Aoe Sadatsugu

Jo-jo saku

Late Kamakura Koto (ca. 1326)

Juyo Token

A beautiful Aoe school katana with kinzogan mei by Honami Kokyu, accompanied by Edo period Tokugawa samurai koshirae and solid gold Aoi mon habaki.

-sold-

Osafune Mitsutada

Sai-jo saku

Middle Kamakura Koto (ca. 1250)

Juyo Token

An extremely important signed tachi from the founder of the Osafune school, the highly praised smith Mitsutada. Property of an American collector on consignment.

-sold-

Hizen Tadayoshi

Sai-jo saku ⋅ Sai-jo O-wazamono

Early Edo Shinto (1616)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

A stunning and rare naginata work of Shodai Tadayoshi made in the early part of his career.

-sold-

Suishinshi Masatsugu

Jo-jo saku

Late Edo (1850)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

A large tachi in the style of Norishige, mounted as a katana in original mounts. By the third generation master of the Suishinshi school and featured in the Shinshinto Taikan.

-sold-

Chikuzen Samonji

Sai-jo saku

Early Nanbokucho Koto (ca. 1340)

Juyo Token

A rare, beautiful and healthy Soshu tanto by the famed Great Sa. Ensuite with koshirae.

-sold-

Soshu Masatsugu

Chu-jo saku

Middle Muromachi Koto (ca. 1500)

Tokubetsu Hozon Token

An Esoteric Buddhist blade devoted to the Shingon sect. In top condition, a good example of the Sue-Soshu school.

-sold-

Osafune Nagashige

Jo-jo saku

Early Nanbokucho Koto (ca. 1330 – 1340)

Juyo Token

A huge magnificent Nanbokucho tachi, 79 cm or 31 inches, by the very rare first maker of the Soden Bizen style and producer of Honami Kotoku's favorite tanto.

-sold-

Hizen Tadayoshi

Sai-jo saku ⋅ Sai-jo O-wazamono

Early Edo Shinto (1632)

Juyo Token

A rare kenjo-mei katana custom ordered by the Nabeshima Daimyo clan. Bearing his final art name Tadahiro and the last date of his career, and gold inlaid two body cutting test by Yamano Nagahisa. An exquisite package complete with koshirae.

-sold-

Rai Kunimitsu

Sai-jo saku

Late Kamakura - Nanbokucho Koto (ca. 1320 – 1340)

Juyo Token

An excellent and dignified katana by the Yamashiro grand master.

-sold-

Fukuoka Ichimonji

Sai-jo saku

Middle Kamakura Koto (ca. 1260)

Juyo Token

A stunning katana with radiant utsuri by the top school of Ichimonji. Accompanied by Honami Kochu origami and koshirae.

-sold-

Shizu Kaneuji

Sai-jo saku ⋅ Ryo-wazamono

Kamakura Koto (ca. 1320)

Juyo Token

A masterpiece katana from the famous student of Masamune, and founder of the Mino tradition. Kinzogan mei, and a former possession of the noble Konoe clan.

-sold-

Koyama Munetsugu

Jo-jo saku

Late Edo Shinshinto (1854)

Authenticated Token

A consigned katana by the top Bizen tradition smith of the late Edo period, accompanied by koshirae.

-sold-

Osafune Saburo Kunimune

Middle Kamakura (ca. 1270).

Juyo Token

A rare naginata naoshi katana from the Kamakura; a masterpiece in nearly perfect health from one of the grandmaster founders of Soshu.

-sold-

Hosho Sadakiyo

Jo-jo saku

Late Kamakura Koto (ca. 1330)

Juyo Token

One of the very few signed works of the Yamato Hosho school to survive to the present day. Excellent, typical work of this school. Ex. Han Bing Siong collection.

-sold-