Aki no Kuni Mikami Sadanao Katana
安芸国 三上貞直　刀
Item TK058

  • Period: Modern (1998)

  • Mei (Signature): Aki no Kuni Mikami Sadanao Saku kore o tsukuru 安芸国 三上貞直作之
    ‍　　　　　　　　‍    Dry spring of Heisei 10 (1998) 平成十年 旱春

  • Nakago - Ubu

  • Nagasa - 71.2cm

  • Sori: - 1.8cm

  • Motohaba - 3.5cm

  • Sakihaba - 2.7cm

  • Kissaki - 5.6cm

  • Motokasane - 0.75cm

  • Nakago Length - 23.3cm

Price: ¥ 1,250,000

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Mukansa Swordsmith Mikami Sadanao - Master of Soden Bizen

Mikami Sadanao (三上貞直) is one of the most highly regarded contemporary Japanese swordsmiths and holds the prestigious rank of Mukansa (無鑑査), a distinction reserved for craftsmen whose work has repeatedly demonstrated the highest level of excellence in modern Japanese swordmaking. Born in Shimane Prefecture in 1955, Mikami entered the forge of Gassan Sadakazu (月山貞一), later designated a Living National Treasure, in 1974. After completing his training, he established his own forge in Hiroshima Prefecture, the historic province of Aki, from which his blades are frequently signed Aki no Kuni Mikami Sadanao (安芸国三上貞直).

Throughout his career, Mikami achieved exceptional success at Japan's major contemporary sword exhibitions, receiving numerous prestigious awards, including the Takamatsunomiya Prize, before attaining Mukansa status in 1995. His swordmaking technique was subsequently designated an Intangible Cultural Property of Hiroshima Prefecture, and he has played an important role in preserving and transmitting the traditional craft of Japanese swordmaking, including serving as president of the All Japan Swordsmith Association.

Artistically, Mikami is particularly celebrated for his mastery of Sōden-Bizen, with a strong affinity for the powerful workmanship of the great Nanbokuchō-period master Chōgi (長義). His finest blades combine commanding classical sugata with exceptionally refined jigane and vigorous, highly active hamon, demonstrating both his technical mastery and his deep understanding of the great traditions of the Koto period. These qualities have established Mikami Sadanao as one of the leading figures of modern Japanese swordmaking and a smith whose work stands firmly within the highest echelon of contemporary nihontō.

The present katana is a superb example of Mikami Sadanao’s Sōden-Bizen workmanship, executed in the style of the great Nanbokuchō-period master Chōgi (Nagayoshi), a tradition for which Mikami is particularly celebrated. The sugata is powerful and imposing, deliberately recalling the grand proportions of the Nanbokuchō period. The blade is notably wide and thick, maintaining generous width from the motohaba through to the sakihaba with relatively little taper, before terminating in an elongated kissaki. This creates a commanding silhouette with tremendous presence while retaining a beautifully balanced overall form. The blade has an iori-mune, while a deeply and precisely carved bō-hi runs along the blade and continues through the nakago in kaki-nagashi style, further emphasizing its long, dynamic lines.

The jigane is finely forged itame-hada, exceptionally clear and well defined, allowing the quality and structure of the steel to be readily appreciated. Against this refined foundation, the hamon is formed in a vigorous gunome-midare, creating the energetic and powerful appearance characteristic of Mikami’s interpretation of Sōden-Bizen. The temper continues dynamically into the kissaki, where the bōshi becomes midare-komi, complementing the activity of the hamon below. Despite the boldness of the composition, everything is executed with remarkable precision and control: the forging is clear, the hamon distinct, and the overall workmanship exceptionally clean. The result is a blade that successfully captures the powerful Nanbokuchō aesthetic of Chōgi while displaying the technical refinement and confident execution expected from a smith of Mikami Sadanao’s calibre.