Tachi Sword (signed Masatsune)

A Representative Work of Ko-Bizen Masatsune

The Tachi Sword (signed Masatsune) (太刀〈銘正恒〉) is a Heian-period tachi by Ko-Bizen Masatsune at the Kyoto National Museum in Chayamachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, which in 1961 was designated a National Treasure.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records one blade 74.2 centimetres long with a curvature of 2.1 centimetres and 2.8 centimetres wide at the base, owned by the state (Agency for Cultural Affairs), first designated under the old system in 1937.

According to the Agency, it is one of the representative works of Masatsune of the Ko-Bizen school.

The Blade

According to the Agency, it is ridged with a roof-shaped back, a small point and a shallow curve near the hilt with a firm base. The tang is unaltered, with a shallow chestnut-shaped end, file marks sloping down and one peg hole.

The steel shows a neat fine grain with irregular reflections, dark lines and fine crystals. The temper line is broadly straight, mixed with small irregularities and small cloves, full of small legs, deep and crystalline, with golden streaks. The blade is 1.7 centimetres wide at the tip, with a tang of 18.1 centimetres.

What to Look For

The Agency notes that its steel and temper line are typical of Masatsune, and that it is also in sound condition.

Notice the refined fine-grained steel and the temper line of small irregularities and cloves typical of Masatsune.

Visiting the Tachi Sword (signed Masatsune)

The sword is at the Kyoto National Museum and is not always on display; check the museum's schedule.