Original Item: One-of-a-Kind. Well this is something that we have never had before, a Japanese Itomaki no Tachi ceremonial sword! When most people picture a Japanese sword in their heads, THIS is what they are thinking of! Apart from being formal court swords, the itomaki no tachi was also the style often presented to (foreign) dignitaries. We received this recently out of an old collection, and it is fresh to the market, as well as the first example that we have ever handled!

Itomaki no tachi (糸巻太刀) literally means "silk wrapped great sword", and is a type of tachi (太刀), is a type of traditionally made Japanese sword (nihonto) worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Usually only seen in display or ceremonial occasions, it differs from most settings in that the upper part of the scabbard is also wrapped with silk ribbon, just like the hilt. The scabbard wrapping is called watari-maki (渡巻) or saya-maki (鞘巻), and so the style of tachi is also sometimes called sayamaki no tachi (鞘巻太刀) or "scabbard wrapped great sword". This kind of koshirae (fittings) often holds precious swords that are centuries older than the mountings. The Itomaki no Tachi style appears to date from at least the late Heian period (794-1185 A.D.) to the early Kamakura period (1192-1333 A.D.). It was first probably mainly practical in nature: The added wrapping provided better grip during the pulling of the sword and also protected the scabbard from the rubbing against the armor. 

This particular set of fittings dates from the early Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. By this point, the style was elevated to a ceremonial style, to be worn with the formal dress called reifuku (礼服). One could also wear it with the chiisagatana (小さ刀) a shortish sword with a blade length of 1 shaku 5 sun and 1 shaku 8 sun (~ 45.45 ~ 54.54 cm). The reifuku was the second most formal dress, only surpassed by the taireifuku (大礼服), worn together with the archaic kazari-tachi or efu no tachi. The fittings were only made by high level makers, often those in direct employ of the shogunate. It is a truly beautiful style of fittings that look great in any type of display.

The blade used in this example dates from the late Muromachi period (室町時代 Muromachi jidai) of 1336 to 1573, most likely the earlier portion. This is part of the period of Japanese swordmaking known as Kotō (古刀"old swords"), the the type of swords that later smiths treated as the goal they needed to achieve. We compared the SUGAT (shape) and SORI (blade curvature), and it matches well with the early Muromachi style, which is relatively thin compared to those used later during the period during the Sengoku period of nearly constant civil war. It may have originally been an Uchigatana blade, but this set of fittings was definitely made to match it, which was not uncommon during the Edo period with ancient blades.

This example has been remounted numerous times, as was common for Japanese blades. This combined with age and oxidation has eroded the tang of the blade to a large degree, with some areas missing quite a bit of material. The YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang are completely gone, and it shows a lovely patina from oxidation and rust scaling.

There is a very faint partial signature that reads 國 - KUNI, however the TAGANE (chisel marks) are very faint and the TAGANE MAKURA (raised area around the mei) are completely removed. It is also possible that this was added later to remark the tang after the original signature was completely eroded. Based on the length and condition of the tang, the edge of the blade was probably an inch or two longer originally, before damage caused it to be moved towards the tip.

The blade has the following period correct features, indicating it was made traditionally from folded TAMAGAHANE steel:

- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- hole (mekugi-ana) in the tang is punched and not drilled
- blade has a vibrant visible temper line (hamon)
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Both ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits) are visible.

We measured the blade in detail, and got the following measurements:

Nagasa- 63.2cm
Motohaba- 2.87cm
Motokasane - 0.61cm
Sakihaba- 1.72cm
Sakikasane - 0.31cm
Nakago Length - 17.8cm 
Sori/curvature - 2.8cm - Toriizori (鳥居反り)
Kissaki - 3.4 cm - Chu-Kissaki

The "Chu" or Medium Kissaki is associated with the early muromachi, and the blade is relatively curved and tapered. We can see that the blade was originally larger, and has been reduced in size somewhat from multiple traditional polishings by a TOGISHI sword polisher.

When in the Itomaki no Tachi mountings, the sword has an overall length of 35 ½ inches, and the blade is 25 inches long. The polish is in excellent condition, showing no oxidation or staining that we can see, just a bit of scuffing. The aspects of the blade are still easily visible in the light, and the blade crystallization has some lovely chatoyancy. The edge is still quite sharp, so it should be handled with care. There is some minor denting on the edge about 3 inches from the hamachi, and the tip is in great shape. It has a futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago with an Haagari (asymmetrically rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). The blade shape is SHINOGI-ZUKURI (鎬造), meaning the blade has a “SHINOGI” or blade ridge. This is the "standard" shape for most tachi, katana, and longer wakizashi.

It has a vibrant temper line (刃文- HAMON), which is visible along the entire edge of the blade. The shape is a very attractive NOTARE MIDARE (湾れ乱れ - irregular wave like) type, which shimmers in the light. There is visible NIE crystallization at the edge of the temper line easily visible, as well as the correct NIOI cloudiness in the hamon. There is a lot of activity within the hamon, and the blade body (JI) also has MASAME HADA (柾目肌 - Straight pattern) texture which can be early seen in the light. The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a clear YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is of the Ō-MARU (大丸- large round turnback) shape, and is fully visible with some great internal activity and a clear transition. The blade has various KIZU (blade wounds), including WARE , which are lamination seams from the forging process, only possible on traditionally made blades. This is really a great blade, with lots of aspects to enjoy. With the long delay for traditional togishi polishing, blades like this that are ready to display and appreciate are definitely in demand.

The Itomaki no Tachi fittings for the blade are in fantastic condition, an executed superbly. Most of the fittings are decorated prominently with the Go-san oni kiri (五三鬼桐) 5–3 Blossomed Paulownia mon (crest). This is an ancient and well known crest in Japan, and currently is the emblem of both the Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Guard Headquarters. This was originally a private crest used by the Imperial Family, and use was granted (or taken) by powerful families during Japanese history. There are also what look to be 9-7 Blossom Crests hand-painted in gold onto the SAYA (scabbard), which shows an extremely high level of artistry. The fittings are all highly decorative and gold highlighted, all still in great shape as well.  The ITO grip wrapping on the TSUKA (handle) is in great shape, as is the SAYA-ITO wrapping on the scabbard, and the ASHI hangers are present, and wrapped up into the storage position. The leather components of the hangers are a bit aged, with one side missing the end tab, but otherwise they are great.

Please examine the high resolution 2000x2000 picture to see closeups of all the components, as is definitely difficult to put the level of artistry into words. This is a fantastic collector's opportunity, and swords of this quality rarely come to market, especially in such fine condition. A true work of art, ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 35 ½“
Scabbard Length: 28 ⅞"

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Japanese blade (日本刀 - Nihonto) is unique because it is forged from multiple pieces of folded steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room. The traditional Japanese blade and mountings have grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.

Explanation of Terms:

motohaba (元幅, bottom width) – blade width (mihaba) at the bottom of the blade (machi).

motokasane (元重 ね) – blade thickness (kasane) of the spine (mune) at the bottom of the blade (machi).

sakihaba (先幅, top width) – blade width (mihaba) at the yokote.

sakikasane (先重ね) – blade thickness (kasane) of the spine (mune) at the yokote.

nagasa (長さ, length) – blade length measured from the point to the back edge notch (munemachi)

sori (反り, curvature) – curvature of the sword measured as the greatest perpendicular distance between the back edge (mune) and the chord connecting the back edge notch (munemachi) with the point of the blade.

kissaki (切先) – fan-shaped point of the blade; separated from the body of the sword by the yokote.