Outstanding First Class WWII Gendaitō Sword made by Master Horii Toshihide (Hideaki)

Outstanding First-Class WWII Gendaitō

By the Famous Gendai Master Horii Toshihide (Hideaki, 1873–1953)

An exceptional World War II era masterpiece forged by Horii Toshihide—also known as Hideaki—one of the most highly ranked gendai (modern) swordsmiths of the Shōwa period. Listed in Slough’s Gendai Tōkō (pp. 173–175), Toshihide is celebrated for his impeccable workmanship and for producing some of the finest military-period blades.

Certification: NBTHK Hozon Token (Preservation Certificate)
Signature: 俊秀作 (Toshihide saku)
Date: February 1941 (Shōwa 16)

Dimensions

• Nagasa (cutting edge): 66.7 cm (26¼”)

• Nakago (tang): 21 cm (8¼”)

• Overall length: 88.8 cm (35″)

• Thickness at habaki: 7.6 mm

• Width at habaki: 3.21 cm (1¼”)

• Width at yokote: 2.15 cm (⅞”)

• Kissaki length: 3.21 cm (1¼”)

• Curvature (sori): 2.1 cm (≈11/16″)

Blade

In immaculate, full Japanese polish, the blade displays a brilliant gunome–chōji midareba hamon sparkling with abundant, lively nie and nioi activities. The refined itame hada is vivid and beautifully textured, showcasing the remarkable skill of its maker.

Mountings

The sword is preserved in two complete settings:

• A first-class shirasaya (plain storage scabbard) for long-term preservation.

• Its full original high-grade Shinguntō mounts, all perfectly matched and in excellent condition, including the rare early-colonel (general-grade) tassel in bright, unfaded orange-brown.

Significance

A flawless example of wartime craftsmanship: prestigious NBTHK certification, superb polish and activity, and fully original wartime mounts with the scarce colonel’s tassel. A prime collector’s piece and a testament to the artistry of Horii Toshihide, among the very finest gendai smiths of his era.