{"product_id":"antique-japanese-katana-sword-by-takada-munekage-late-muromachi-double-hozon","title":"Antique Japanese Katana Sword by Takada Munekage - Late Muromachi - Double HOZON","description":"\u003csection class=\"product\"\u003e\u003cheader\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/header\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"specs\"\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (Mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMumei — attributed to Takada Munekage (豊後高田統景)\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod \/ Province:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tenshō era (1573–1592, Late Muromachi period) — Bungo Province (modern Ōita)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSchool:\u003c\/strong\u003e Taira Takada (高田) School — Kyūshū tradition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e NBTHK Hozon Token (日本美術刀剣保存協会 保存刀剣)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade Length (Nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 68.6 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (Sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.8 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMekugi-ana:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shinogi-zukuri with balanced proportions for battlefield use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suguha with soft notare undulation, bright nioi-guchi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJihada:\u003c\/strong\u003e Refined ko-itame hada, tight grain with subtle surface activity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKissaki:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chū-kissaki (medium point)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traditional Japanese polish revealing controlled hamon and jihada\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting (Koshirae):\u003c\/strong\u003e Edo-period koshirae — black lacquer saya, iron sukashi tsuba with landscape motif and gold nunome, carved iron fuchi-kashira, black lacquered ito over samegawa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003csection id=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eNBTHK Hozon-class katana\u003c\/strong\u003e is attributed to \u003cstrong\u003eTakada Munekage (豊後高田統景)\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the hallmark smiths of the \u003cstrong\u003eTaira Takada school\u003c\/strong\u003e in Bungo Province. Forged in the \u003cstrong\u003eTenshō era (1573–1592)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a time of intense warfare during the late Muromachi period, this sword represents the height of Kyūshū sword craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Takada school originated in the \u003cstrong\u003eNanbokuchō period\u003c\/strong\u003e under its founder, \u003cstrong\u003eTakada Tomoyuki\u003c\/strong\u003e, who trained in the esteemed \u003cstrong\u003eBizen tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e. Returning to Bungo, he established a lineage that blended Bizen elegance with the durability demanded by Kyūshū warfare. By the Sengoku era, Takada smiths—known collectively as \u003cstrong\u003eTaira Takada\u003c\/strong\u003e—were producing large quantities of swords for samurai across the island.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMunekage is recorded as having served retainers of the powerful \u003cstrong\u003eŌtomo clan\u003c\/strong\u003e, whose domain dominated Kyūshū’s political and military landscape. With access to rich iron sand deposits from \u003cstrong\u003eMount Sobo Katamuki\u003c\/strong\u003e, Takada smiths forged blades widely respected for reliability, resilience, and cutting performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade displays a dignified \u003cstrong\u003esuguha hamon\u003c\/strong\u003e with gentle \u003cstrong\u003enotare\u003c\/strong\u003e undulation—an unmistakable trademark of the Takada style. The \u003cstrong\u003ebright nioi-guchi\u003c\/strong\u003e testifies to refined heat-treating skill, while the \u003cstrong\u003eko-itame jihada\u003c\/strong\u003e reveals a tightly forged grain reminiscent of Bizen influences. The balanced \u003cstrong\u003eshinogi-zukuri\u003c\/strong\u003e geometry and graceful \u003cstrong\u003etori-zori\u003c\/strong\u003e curvature reflect the functional elegance of Sengoku-period battlefield swords.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts Edo-period \u003cstrong\u003ekoshirae\u003c\/strong\u003e is exceptionally characterful. The iron \u003cstrong\u003etsuba\u003c\/strong\u003e is decorated with a scenic landscape—pagoda, mountains, and flowing water—accented with \u003cstrong\u003egold nunome\u003c\/strong\u003e. The matching \u003cstrong\u003efuchi-kashira\u003c\/strong\u003e are deeply carved with botanical motifs, and the \u003cstrong\u003eblack lacquered ito\u003c\/strong\u003e over \u003cstrong\u003esamegawa\u003c\/strong\u003e tsuka creates a powerful aesthetic presence. The \u003cstrong\u003esaya\u003c\/strong\u003e is finished in a rich black lacquer and paired with a traditional green \u003cstrong\u003esageo\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fully authenticated \u003cstrong\u003eHozon Token\u003c\/strong\u003e, this sword is recognized by the NBTHK as a culturally significant work. With its historic provenance, elegant Edo-period mountings, and exemplary late-Muromachi craftsmanship, this katana stands as an outstanding example of the \u003cstrong\u003eTaira Takada school\u003c\/strong\u003e—a blade forged for real samurai, preserved with dignity, and rich with the spirit of Japan’s warrior history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTsuba\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis antique \u003cstrong\u003eAizu Shoami tsuba\u003c\/strong\u003e features a refined \u003cstrong\u003etower-and-landscape motif\u003c\/strong\u003e with subtle gold nunome highlights. Certified by the \u003cstrong\u003eNBTHK\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1974 as \u003cem\u003eKichō Kodōgu\u003c\/em\u003e it is officially recognized as a valuable fitting of historical importance. The iron plate shows soft Edo-period patination, while the flowing scenery—mountains, water, and architectural elements—reflects the artistic sophistication for which the Aizu school is renowned. A tasteful and collectible tsuba, ideal for display or as part of an original koshirae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Tokyo Nihonto","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51212881035431,"sku":"KATANA56","price":6210.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0763\/6792\/1319\/files\/P1100156-Enhanced-NR.jpg?v=1786767973","url":"https:\/\/minkatana.shop\/fr\/products\/antique-japanese-katana-sword-by-takada-munekage-late-muromachi-double-hozon","provider":"MINKATANA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}