A Showy Ichimonji Blade from the Shogun's House
The Tachi (inscribed Norifusa) (太刀〈銘則房〉) is a long sword made in the Kamakura period (13th century) by Norifusa of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school, held by the Fukuyama Museum of Art in Nishimachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and designated a National Treasure on March 31, 1953. The blade is 77.4 centimetres long, with a tang of 22.3 centimetres, according to the museum.
The museum explains that Norifusa is called Katayama Ichimonji because he moved from Fukuoka in Bizen (today's Osafune, Setouchi City, Okayama) to Katayama in Bitchu. With Yoshifusa and Sukezane, he is famed for the most flamboyant large choji temper lines of the Ichimonji school. The sword was first designated under earlier law in 1931.
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, the blade has been shortened by about four sun but was once a great tachi of nearly three shaku (about 90 centimetres). Even so it keeps a deep curve, a broad body and a short, stout ikubi point, giving it a commanding presence.
The steel is close-grained with a clouded reflection, and the temper line mixes large choji with layered-flower choji, rich in legs and leaves, with touches of fine crystals here and there: a full expression of the Ichimonji school's flamboyance.
What to Look For
Focus on the temper line, where large choji and layered-flower choji line up like overlapping petals, the hallmark of Norifusa and the Fukuoka Ichimonji smiths.
Its history is clear too. According to the museum, the fifth shogun, Tsunayoshi, gave it on July 11, 1707, to celebrate the birth of Iechiyo, son of Tokugawa Ienobu, and it remained in the shogun's house for generations. The museum's National Treasure dagger Aizu Shintogo was given on the same occasion.
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 Norifusa made?
- In the Kamakura period, in the 13th century.
- When was it designated a National Treasure?
- On March 31, 1953.
- Why is Norifusa called Katayama Ichimonji?
- Because he moved from Fukuoka in Bizen to Katayama in Bitchu.
- How long was the Norifusa tachi originally?
- It has been shortened by about four sun but was once nearly three shaku, about 90 centimetres.
- How did the Norifusa tachi pass down?
- Shogun Tsunayoshi gave it in 1707 to celebrate the birth of Iechiyo, and it remained in the shogun's house.
Basic Information
| Name | Tachi (inscribed Norifusa) (太刀〈銘則房〉) |
|---|---|
| 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 1953/3/31 (Showa 28); earlier designation 1931/12/14 (Showa 6) |
| Quantity | 1 sword |
| Dimensions | Blade length 77.4 centimetres, tang length 22.3 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