The Finest Form Among Masatsune's Blades
The Tachi (inscribed Masatsune) (太刀〈銘正恒〉) is a long sword made in the Heian period (12th century) by Masatsune of the Ko-Bizen school, held by the Fukuyama Museum of Art in Nishimachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and designated a National Treasure on March 29, 1952. The blade is 77.6 centimetres long, with a tang of 19.0 centimetres, according to the museum.
The museum explains that Masatsune is the leading smith of Ko-Bizen, the oldest group of Bizen swordsmiths. More signed works by him survive than by any other Ko-Bizen smith, and his signatures appear in at least five styles. The sword was first designated under earlier law in 1933.
The Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection, 14 Japanese swords, 7 of them National Treasures and 6 designated as an Important Cultural Property, was assembled by the late Komatsu Yasuhiro, founder of the Fukuyama-based company FP Corporation, and donated to Fukuyama City by Komatsu Keiko in November 2018, according to the museum.
Why It Is a National Treasure
According to the museum, this is an imposing tachi with a high curvature near the hilt (koshi-zori) and a strong, broad base, and its shape is the most beautiful among Masatsune's surviving blades. The steel is close-grained with a mottled reflection, and the temper line mixes small irregular, gunome and choji patterns, richly crystalline, with thick legs and leaves throughout.
Among Masatsune's works, many of the finest have a straight temper line flawlessly done; this one shows his typical style while standing out for the beauty of its shape.
What to Look For
Start with the profile. The strong curve close to the guard and the sturdy base give the blade the commanding outline of a Heian tachi.
Look also at the mottled reflection in the steel and the activity of the temper line. According to the museum, the sword was handed down in the Hachisuka family, lords of Tokushima in Awa, and is accompanied by an itomaki tachi mounting decorated with paulownia crests in gold lacquer.
Seeing the Sword
The Fukuyama Museum of Art shows the swords of the Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection in rotation through its collection displays and special exhibitions; they are not on permanent view, so check the museum's Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection display schedule before going.
The museum opens from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closes on Mondays (or the following day when Monday is a holiday) and over the New Year. Collection displays cost ¥310 for adults and are free for high school students and younger. Photography is not allowed in the galleries. The museum is about 400 metres west of the north exit of JR Fukuyama Station, at 2-4-3 Nishimachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture (084-932-2345).
Q&A
- When was the Tachi inscribed Masatsune made?
- In the Heian period, in the 12th century.
- When was it designated a National Treasure?
- On March 29, 1952.
- Who was Masatsune?
- The leading smith of Ko-Bizen, the oldest group of Bizen swordsmiths.
- What should I look for on the Masatsune tachi?
- Its high curvature near the hilt and powerful stance; the museum calls its shape the most beautiful among Masatsune's surviving blades.
- Where did the Masatsune tachi come from?
- It was handed down in the Hachisuka family, lords of Tokushima.
Basic Information
| Name | Tachi (inscribed Masatsune) (太刀〈銘正恒〉) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-4-3 Nishimachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture (Fukuyama Museum of Art) |
| Designation | National Treasure (Fine Arts and Crafts: Crafts) |
| Year Designated | National Treasure 1952/3/29 (Showa 27); earlier designation 1933/1/23 (Showa 8) |
| Quantity | 1 sword |
| Dimensions | Blade length 77.6 centimetres, tang length 19.0 centimetres |
| Owner | Fukuyama City |
| Public Access | Shown in rotation in the museum's collection displays and special exhibitions (not permanent) |
References
- About the Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection (Fukuyama Museum of Art)
- https://www.city.fukuyama.hiroshima.jp/site/fukuyama-museum/194068.html
- Komatsu Yasuhiro Collection display schedule (Fukuyama Museum of Art)
- https://www.city.fukuyama.hiroshima.jp/site/fukuyama-museum/201121.html
- Visitor information (Fukuyama Museum of Art)
- https://www.city.fukuyama.hiroshima.jp/site/fukuyama-museum/2912.html
Last verified: 2026.10.04