Tachi (long sword) blade

From Bizen Province, Japan
Kamakura period, 13th century AD

A number of characteristics indicate that this sword was made in Bizen Province in the early Kamakura period: the clove-form hamon (crystalline pattern of the blade edge); the deep curve towards the hilt; the elegant point; and the white wavy utsuri shadow along the blade.

The blade is signed Kageyasu, a name which occurs both in the Osafune and Ichimonji schools of Bizen Province, but the type of blade and style of signature indicate early period work of the Ko-bizen or 'old Bizen' school (late twelfth and early thirteenth century).

L. Smith, V. Harris and T. Clark, Japanese art: masterpieces in (London, The British Museum Press, 1990)

, Hakubutsukan shozō Nihon-Ch (Tokyo National Museum, 1987)