Den Iwato Ichimonji Katana
岩戸一文字 　刀
Item TK017

• Period：Koto - Kamakura Period (Early 1300’s)

• Designation: JUYO TOKEN (Den Iwato Ichimonji)

• Mei (Signature): Mumei

• Nakago - O-Suriage Mumei, 2 Mekugi-Ana

• Nagasa - 70.6cm

• Sori - 1.2cm

• Motohaba - 2.95cm

• Sakihaba - 1.85cm

• Motokasane - 0.62cm

• Kissaki - 2.6cm

• Nakago length - 21.5cm

Price: ¥ 6,800,000

Iwato Ichimonji - Branch of the Famous Ichimonji School

Among Bizen works of the Kamakura period, the two major schools were Ichimonji and Osafune. The Ichimonji school flourished in regions such as Fukuoka, Yoshioka, and Iwato from the Kamakura into the Nanbokuchō period, producing many skilled smiths.

A small branch of the Ichimonji school that settled in Iwato-no-shō, Bizen Province, after the late Kamakura period is known as the Iwato Ichimonji. According to the swordsmith Yoshii (吉氏), the founder of this line was Yoshiie (吉家).  Some sword scholars argue that, due to notable differences in workmanship, this school is more appropriately linked to the Bizen Osafune tradition rather than the other Ichimonji schools.

This blade features a well-forged itame-hada, with fine and dense ji-nie, chikei, and a faint utsuri. The hamon shows a shallow notare mixed with small chōji, small gunome, and pointed elements, with frequent ko-ashi, strong ko-nie, and an overall refined execution.

Compared to Fukuoka Ichimonji works, this blade exhibits a more compact hamon pattern, making it identifiable as Iwato Ichimonji within the broader Ichimonji tradition. With its varied hamon activity, beautiful hataraki (temper features), and especially the excellence of the forging, this is a blade of exceptional quality.

Sugata

Shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune. The blade has a relatively wide body, with a slight taper from base to tip, a well-balanced thickness, and shallow curvature. It has a chu-kissaki.
The tang is suriage (shortened), with the bottom cut off in a straight manner. It has a slightly shallow katte-sagari file pattern. There are two mekugi-ana (peg holes). The blade is unsigned (mumei).

Jigane

Hamon

The hamon is a shallow notare style mixed with small chōji, small gunome, and pointed elements. It is tightly packed with many features. There is a strong presence of ko-ashi (short legs extending from the hamon), some yo (leaf-shaped temper features), and prominent ko-nie (fine crystals) along the edge. Kinsuji (bright streaks) and fine sunagashi (sweeping lines) are also visible.

The bōshi is straight and smoothly turns back in a rounded form.

Hirumaki no Tachi Koshirae (蛭巻太刀拵)

This refined tachi koshirae is made in the Hirumaki (蛭巻) style, named for the spiraling bands that resemble the segmented body of a leech (hiru). Both the saya and tsuka are fully wrapped in black lacquered leather bands — a style historically favored in the Heian and Kamakura periods for ceremonial or high-ranking wear.

The metal fittings (kanagu), including the kojiri, koiguchi, fuchi, and tachi suspension hardware (ashi kanamono), are crafted from copper and display a warm, oxidized patina, giving the piece a dignified aged appearance. The symmetrical and consistent application of copper wrap from end to end emphasizes formality and aesthetic unity.

A formal tachi-style suspension system is in place, featuring well-made hanger rings and ashi. The sageo is tied in an ornate fashion, using a thick, suede-like woven fabric, adding visual depth and historical authenticity.

Notably, the tsuka is also wrapped in matching black lacquered leather bands, rather than traditional ray skin and cord, reinforcing the uniformity of the design. This technique was uncommon in battlefield swords and points instead to a late Edo period ceremonial remake, likely intended for presentation, parade, or shrine offering rather than active use.

Elegant, formal, and evocative of classical courtly taste, this mounting is a beautiful example of Edo-period craftsmanship paying homage to earlier samurai traditions.

Tanobe-sensei Sayagaki