Treasures of JapanA catalogue of Japan's designated cultural properties
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Important Cultural Property

Blade for a Long Sword ("Tachi")

太刀
Blade for a Long Sword ("Tachi") (太刀)
PLATE IImage: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Swords & Armour · Muromachi period · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Date
1459
Location
Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID
cobas-178287

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This blade was cut down from its original size to make it easier to use in close quarters, but this modification destroyed the maker’s signature on the tang. Centuries later, the master sword appraiser Hon’ami Kōshitsu (1583–1625) determined the maker and inscribed his name, Kunimitsu, in gold on the tang.

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

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Blade for a Long Sword ("Tachi")（太刀）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-178287. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/blade-for-a-long-sword-tachi-178287/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Genre: Arms & Armor
  • Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
  • Material: Forged steel
  • 員数: 1口
  • 分類: 刀剣
  • 品質形状: 鉄製鍛造
  • 法量: 刃長68.1 反り1.9
  • 銘文等: 銘 備前国長船住左衛門尉藤原朝臣則光 於作州鷹取庄黒坂造／鷹取勘解由左衛門尉菅原朝臣泰佐打ス之 長禄参年己卯十二月十三日

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刀 金象嵌銘 城和泉守所持 正宗磨上 本阿（花押）
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