Onhold…Onhold…

Fujiwara Kuniyoshi Katana — 藤原国吉造 刀

Tokubetsu Hozon
Period: Shinshintō — Late Edo to Early Meiji Era
Mounting: Shikomizue (Concealed Cane Koshirae)

This Tokubetsu Hozon–designated katana is an exceptional work attributed to Fujiwara Kuniyoshi, a name borne by several skilled smiths working in Musashi during the Shinshintō period. Its finely preserved, entirely ubu nakago and its compact yet elegant proportions strongly indicate that it was forged in the transitional years spanning the end of the Edo period into the early Meiji era. The blade’s overall length—shorter than the typical Edo-period katana—suggests a deliberate adaptation to changing cultural circumstances, most notably the Haitōrei Edict of 1876, which prohibited the public wearing of swords. As traditional mounts became impractical, craftsmen and samurai turned to discreet alternatives such as the shikomizue, a cane-style mounting that concealed the presence of a blade while maintaining personal security and cultural identity.

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Measurements

• Nagasa: 63.5 cm

• Sori: 1.5 cm

• Motohaba: 2.9 cm

• Sakihaba: 2.09 cm

• Kissaki: 3.3 cm

• Motokasane: 0.72 cm

• Nakago: 21.3 cm, ubu, 1 mekugi-ana

• Signature (mei): Fujiwara Kuniyoshi Tsukuru — 藤原国吉造

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Blade Characteristics

The workmanship of this piece is superb, displaying refined control and mature taste. The jigane is a beautifully forged ko-itame hada, tightly packed and uniform, with a subtle, elegant grain that reveals its structure clearly under angled light. Its texture is neither coarse nor overly flamboyant; instead, it conveys a quiet, disciplined sophistication characteristic of high-level Shinshintō craftsmanship.

The hamon is a clean, straight suguha executed in nie-deki. The nie crystals along the edge are exceptionally fine and brilliantly reflective, forming a bright, polished line that runs evenly from the machi to the tip. Their clarity reflects the smith’s precise heat management during quenching, a hallmark of mastery achieved only through long experience. The overall aesthetic is one of restraint and refinement—an understated blade that rewards close study with depth and brilliance.

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Shikomizue Koshirae (Concealed Cane Mounting)

The shikomizue mounting is both historically meaningful and visually striking. Finished in dark brown lacquer, it features a subtle textured surface with a gentle spiral “rattan-like” pattern that gives the saya the genuine appearance of a walking cane. An iron reinforcement plate at the base supports its practical functionality, further emphasizing its dual-purpose design. This understated form evokes Meiji-period discreet self-defense culture and recalls iconic depictions such as Zatōichi, the legendary blind swordsman known for his concealed sword-cane.

Mountings of this type are increasingly rare, especially when paired with a blade of Tokubetsu Hozon quality and an ubu nakago indicative of late-production Shinshintō/early-Meiji workmanship.

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A Complete and Historically Significant Set

This piece is accompanied by:

• Shirasaya for proper long-term preservation

• Tsunagi to maintain the shikomizue koshirae when the blade is stored

• Copper habaki

The combination of a refined Kuniyoshi blade, an authentic concealed mounting, and its Tokubetsu Hozon certification makes this katana a compelling example of Japan’s transitional sword culture. It bridges the worlds of Edo-period martial refinement and Meiji-era adaptation, offering collectors a blade of artistic quality, historical depth, and undeniable character.