A Lacquered Koshigatana from Itsukushima
The Waist Sword with a Pear-Ground Paulownia Design and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay (blade signed Tomonari saku) (梨子地桐文螺鈿腰刀〈中身に友成作と銘がある〉) is a Muromachi-period koshigatana mounting together with its blade, held by Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and designated a National Treasure on June 28, 1956. It had first been designated under earlier law in 1899.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as one sword of the Muromachi period, with Tomonari as maker; as its name says, the blade inside is signed Tomonari saku. A maki-e lacquered box is designated with it as an attached item.
Why It Is a National Treasure
The name describes the mounting precisely. Nashiji is a maki-e technique in which gold flakes are sprinkled into lacquer to give a texture like pear skin; raden is inlay with thin cut pieces of shell; and kirimon refers to the paulownia crests rendered on it. A koshigatana is a short sword without a guard, worn thrust through the belt.
Its value lies in a Muromachi mounting with fine lacquer and shell decoration surviving together with a signed blade and its lacquered box. As one of the swords and arms offered to Itsukushima Shrine, it also shows the depth of the shrine's treasures.
What to Look For
On the mounting, look for the paulownia crests in mother-of-pearl glinting against the gold-flecked nashiji ground: the warm gold of the lacquer and the cool sheen of the shell set off a Muromachi accessory meant to impress.
The blade is signed Tomonari saku. The shrine also holds the National Treasure tachi signed Tomonari saku, and seeing the two together gives a sense of the range of swords offered to the shrine.
Seeing the Koshigatana
Itsukushima Shrine holds some 260 items, each designated as a National Treasure or an Important Cultural Property, part of which is displayed in its treasure hall, according to the Miyajima Tourist Association. Displays rotate, so ask the shrine whether a particular piece is on view.
According to the shrine's official information, the treasure hall is open year-round from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with admission of ¥300 for adults, ¥200 for high school students and ¥100 for junior high and elementary school students. A combined ticket with the shrine buildings (¥500 for adults) is sold at the shrine entrance. The treasure hall is at 1162-18 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture; enquiries go to Itsukushima Shrine (0829-44-2020).
Q&A
- What is the nashiji paulownia raden koshigatana?
- A Muromachi koshigatana mounting with its blade; the mounting has paulownia crests in shell inlay on a gold-flecked lacquer ground, and the blade is signed Tomonari saku.
- When was it designated a National Treasure?
- On June 28, 1956.
- What are nashiji and raden?
- Nashiji is lacquer sprinkled with gold flakes to look like pear skin; raden is decorative inlay of thin shell.
- What is designated with it?
- A maki-e lacquered box is designated as an attached item.
- Where can I see it?
- It may be shown in Itsukushima Shrine's treasure hall; displays rotate, so check with the shrine.
Basic Information
| Name | Waist Sword with a Pear-Ground Paulownia Design and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay (梨子地桐文螺鈿腰刀〈中身に友成作と銘がある〉) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture (Itsukushima Shrine) |
| Designation | National Treasure (Fine Arts and Crafts: Crafts) |
| Year Designated | National Treasure 1956/6/28 (Showa 31); earlier designation 1899/8/1 (Meiji 32) |
| Quantity | 1 sword (with a maki-e box) |
| Dimensions | Not recorded |
| Owner | Itsukushima Shrine |
| Public Access | May be shown in the treasure hall (displays rotate) |
References
- 梨子地桐文螺鈿腰刀〈中身に友成作と銘がある／〉 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/201/489
- 太刀〈銘友成作／〉 (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/201/376
- Treasure hall (Miyajima Tourist Association)
- https://www.miyajima.or.jp/sightseeing/ss_homotsukan.html
Last verified: 2026.10.04