Yanagida Fukutsugu Daisho
柳田福津久　大小
Item TK038

Period: Modern (2008, 2010)

Mei (Signature): Katana - “Presented to Mr. Hirata Fuhō, inventor of KAATSU training. By Doctor Yoshiaki Sato” Made by Yanagida Fukutsugu 加圧トレーニング発明者　　佐藤義昭博士財団法人　平田富峰之　柳田福津久作之

A lucky day in May, Heisei 20 (2008) 年成二十年五月吉日

Wakizashi - Made by Yanagida Fukutsugu A celebratory month in the year of Kanoe-Tora (Metal Tiger), Heisei era (2010) 柳田福津久作之　平成庚寅年祝月
“Presented to Mr. Hirata Fuhō, inventor of KAATSU training. By Doctor Yoshiaki Sato” 佐藤義昭博士　職平田冨峰氏え加圧トレーニング発明者
Nakago - Katana - 27.7cm Wakizashi - 15cm
Nagasa - Katana - 75.4cm Wakizashi - 44.6cm
Sori: - Katana - 1.4cm Wakizashi - 0.4cm
Motohaba - Katana - 3.7cm Wakizashi - 3.3cm
Sakihaba - Katana - 3.46cm Wakizashi - 3.4cm
Kissaki - Katana - 11.5cm Wakizashi - 12cm
Motokasane - Katana - 0.83cm Wakizashi - 0.77cm

Price: ¥ 1,500,000

Master swordsmith Yanagida Fukutsugu (Intangible Cultural Property holder of Moka City, Tochigi)

Yanagida Fukutsugu (柳田福津久), whose real name is Yanagida Ritsuo, is one of the leading modern swordsmiths of Japan and has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Property holder of Moka City, Tochigi.

He trained under Living National Treasure Miyairi Yukihira, and is also a senior disciple of the highly regarded Mukansa smith Kubo Yasuhira, placing him within a distinguished lineage of modern masters.

In addition to swordsmithing, Fukutsugu studied polishing under the renowned Nagayama Kōkan, and holds advanced credentials connected to the Hon’ami appraisal tradition, reflecting a deep and comprehensive understanding of Japanese swords.

In 1990, he was involved in polishing work for the Emperor’s enthronement sword, and later went on to establish the Samurai Sword Museum in Tochigi.

The majority of his works are produced on a custom-order basis and are seldom encountered on the open market.

In addition to being a Mster swordsmith with formal training in polishing, Yanagida Fukutsugu is also highly knowledgeable in the practical aspects of cutting performance. This is reflected in his achievements, having secured three consecutive overall victories at the All Japan Battōdō Tournament, as well as receiving the Prime Minister’s Award.

His blades are therefore not only appreciated for their craftsmanship, but are also highly regarded among martial artists for their cutting ability and functional balance.

This daishō set was specially commissioned from Yanagida Fukutsugu by Dr. Yoshiaki Sato, the inventor of KAATSU training, a well-known blood circulation training method. The completed blades were subsequently presented to Mr. Hirata Tomimine, a distinguished martial artist and the 17th-generation descendant of Hirata Shōgen, the grandfather of the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.

Further information on Mr. Hirata Tomimine can be found in the following article:https://www.chichi.co.jp/info/chichi/pickup_article/2023/202305_hirata/

The inscriptions on both blades clearly record this provenance, indicating a highly intentional and meaningful commission rather than standard production work. The katana was completed first, with the wakizashi following approximately two years later, suggesting the pair was ultimately brought together as a unified daishō and presented as such.

Both blades are made in the Kiyomaro style, exhibiting wide mihaba and substantial thickness and a significant O-Kissaki, yet in hand they feel unexpectedly light and exceptionally well-balanced. The handling is smooth and responsive, with a particularly refined draw from the saya, indicating that these blades were made with practical martial use in mind.

At the same time, the level of finish is equally impressive. The polish is of high quality, revealing a well-forged jigane with abundant activity, and a lively hamon rich in internal hataraki. This balance between functional performance and refined workmanship reflects a high level of attention from the smith, resulting in blades that are both practical and visually engaging.

The set is accompanied by a matching modern koshirae, featuring aogai-nuri (青貝塗) lacquered saya, giving the daishō a cohesive and elegant presentation.