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National Treasure

Blade for a Long Sword ("Katana"), Named “Kikkō Sadamune”

刀（名物 亀甲貞宗）
Blade for a Long Sword ("Katana"), Named “Kikkō Sadamune” (刀（名物 亀甲貞宗）)
PLATE IImage: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Swords & Armour · Nanbokuchō period, 14th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated National Treasure of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
National Treasure (国宝)
Date
1301–1400
Location
Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID
cobas-77967

Find more

Inscriptions on the tang (the part to which the grip is attached) can reveal valuable information about a blade’s history. The tang of this blade is engraved with a hexagon containing a flower. This is the insignia of the 14th-century master artisan Sadamune, who studied under Japan’s most famous swordsmith, Masamune.

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

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Blade for a Long Sword ("Katana"), Named “Kikkō Sadamune”（刀（名物 亀甲貞宗））.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-77967. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/blade-for-a-long-sword-katana-named-kikk-sadamune/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Cultural property designation: National Treasure
  • Genre: Arms & Armor
  • Category: Applied arts:Arms and armor:Blades:Katana
  • 員数: 1口
  • 分類: 刀剣
  • 種別: 工芸:武器・武具:刀剣:刀
  • 銘文等: 無銘 貞宗

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