Blade for a Long Sword (Katana)

刀

At a glance — Swords & Armour · Kamakura period, 13th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan · Osafune Mitsutada.

Fact Sheet

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category: Swords & Armour
Period: Kamakura period, 13th century
Date: 1201–1300
Creator: Osafune Mitsutada (長船光忠、備前光忠、光忠)
Held by: Tokyo National Museum
Location: Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID: cobas-74748

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Same period: Kamakura swords & armour →
Same creator: Osafune Mitsutada →
At this museum: All 1632 works here →

The maker of this blade, Mitsutada, founded the Osafune school, which became the largest group of sword makers in medieval Japan. Mitsutada carved his name into the blade's tang. However, this signature was lost when the blade was shortened to make it easier to use in close-quarters fighting.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財), Government of Japan
Catalogue ID: cobas-74748 (permanent)
Official record: Japan Search — jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-74748
Holder's collection: ColBase — Tokyo National Museum
Photograph: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0. CC BY 4.0 licence

Cite this page: “Blade for a Long Sword (Katana)（刀）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-74748. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/blade-for-a-long-sword-katana-74748/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.

Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)

Genre: Arms & Armor
Category: Applied arts:Arms and armor:Blades:Katana
Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
員数: 1口
分類: 刀剣
種別: 工芸:武器・武具:刀剣:刀
銘文等: 無銘

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