Original Japanese Shikomizue Cane walkingstick Sword Attributed to Heki Mitsuhira Edo Ishido School, 1600 (Sold)
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Description
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Original Japanese Shikomizue Cane Sword – Attributed to Heki Mitsuhira (Edo Ishido School, 1600s)
This is an exceptionally rare and high-quality Japanese sword hidden in a walking stick (Shikomizue), brought back from WWII. The blade is an authentic hand-forged Shinto katana, certified by the NTHK as the work of Heki Mitsuhira, a master of the Edo Ishido school active in the mid to late 1600s.
Blade:
Length: 28 inches (71 cm)
Shape: Straighter sugata with shallow curvature, reminiscent of early 1600s styles
Hada: Well-grained itame hada
Hamon: Spectacular Bizen Ichimonji-style juka choji midare, with overlapping clove-shaped formations running the full length into a midare boshi
Activities: Tobiyaki, ashi, and subtle sunagashi enrich the hamon
Condition: Excellent polish, nearly flawless with only one minute micro-nick, no rust, and almost no scratches
The tang (nakago) is mumei (unsigned) and suriage (shortened), with attribution by NTHK to Heki Mitsuhira. Mitsuhira and his lineage carried forward the flamboyant Ichimonji tradition within Edo, producing blades highly prized for their dynamic temper lines and refined craftsmanship.
Mountings (Koshirae):
The sword is housed in ultra-rare Shikomizue mountings of exceptional quality and preservation:
Both tsuka and saya finished in lacquered bark-style, retaining 97–99% of their original surface, near immaculate
Ingenious internal spring-loaded tsuba, made of iron and signed by the maker, which pops out when the blade is drawn – an extraordinary rarity
Condition: MINTY, showing virtually no wear or damage
Shikomizue mountings became increasingly popular after the Hatorei Edict of 1876, which forbade samurai from wearing swords openly. Concealed within walking sticks, they allowed former warriors to carry protection discreetly during the Meiji era.
Additionally, the sword comes with a traditional shirasaya storage scabbard to safely house the polished blade.
Overall Condition:
A superb example of Edo-period craftsmanship preserved through WWII, in minty condition both in blade and koshirae.
Collector’s Note:
This piece combines the artistry of the Edo Ishido school with one of the rarest forms of Japanese sword mountings. Certified as the work of Heki Mitsuhira, it embodies history, elegance, and ingenuity. For collectors of fine nihontō or WWII militaria, this represents an outstanding and virtually irreplaceable addition.
