Features:

A truly rare specimen of superior workmanship by the first and famous Yoshimichi. This is an early, exquisite work of the Shodai Yoshimichi from Kyoto, also known as ‘Hokake Tanba’, and dates to the Momoyama period. This work exhibits an exhilaratingly complex hamon as precursor to the infamous sudare-ba that the Yoshimichi lineage became famous for. This sword achieved Juyo Token status in the 66th session in 2020. The health of the blade suggests it has remained in near original shape over 400 years.

The blade features a powerful sugata, defined by a thick kasane and elongated kissaki. The blade has narrow futasuji-hi double grooves on both sides. The nakago is ubu and signed Tamba no Kami Yoshimichi. The nakago is spotless; the hamachi are extremely healthy for a sword of this age. The jigane is a well-refined itame hada. The exuberant gunome midare hamon displays immense activities including profuse sunagashi, stunning sprays of nie, and a depth of interaction that is violent and combustible. The hamon finishes in a thick maru boshi that is near ichimai.

Along with original koshirae with signed furniture.