Yoshioka Ichimoji Kamakura juyo Tachi

The Ichimonji School in Bizen Province was a large school that was founded in the beginning of the Kamakura period and lasted through the Nanbokucho period. From the beginning of the Kamakura period and up until the middle of the Kamakura period, works by this school are commonly referred to as Ko-Ichimonji works.
From the beginning of the Kamakura period and through the middle of the Kamakura period, the center of the production done by this school was located in the area called Fukuoka. From the end of the Kamakura period and through the early part of the Nanbokucho period, the center of production moved to Yoshioka.
The name of the school is derived from the fact that many of the swords extant today are signed only with the Kanji character â"Ichi". To this day there is uncertainty as to whether any of the smiths who signed with individual names are one and the same as any of these practically anonymous artisans who signed with only an "Ichi".
The founder of this school was Sukeyoshi who is said to be the grandson of Sukemune of the Fukuoka Ichimonji School. The smiths of this school lived in Yoshioka. in Bizen province and were active from the latter part of the Kamakura period through the Nanbokucho period. Most of them inscribe their works with the character â"ichi", followed by their names. Some representative smiths were Sukemitsu, Sukeshige, Sukeyoshi, and Sukeshige.


This Tachi is mumei and attribute to the Kamakura Yoshioka Ichimonji. It has a Sayagaki from Mr. Tanobe, that this Blade is Shin Shin Cho Cho.

This Tachi is forged in shinogi-zukuri, with iori-mune, normal mihaba and rather strong deep koshi-zori, even suriage.
The kitae is itame mixed with Mokume.There are very fine ji-nie with midare-utsuri.
The hamon is gunome and togariba in Choji-midare with a lot of ashi and yo, strong deep nioi, ko-nie, kinsuji and sunagashi.
This Tachi is very well done with strong activity in ha, and in exellent condition.
A top Kamakura Tachi what is rare to find today in these condition.