Yokoyama Sukehira Katana

Originally named Sukesada (5 generations from the Bizen Sukesada line of smiths), he became a student of the famous Satsuma-smith, Yamato no Kami Motohira (大和守元平), in the eighth year of Tenmei (天明, 1788). There he trained in the Satsuma-Soshu tradition.  In honoring his teacher, he changed his name from Sukesada to Sukehira.

Many of his blades are nie-laden and remind of his master Motohira.  Sukehira is considered to be the founder of the shinshintō-era Bizen-Yokoyama group.  He received the honorary title, “Ise no Kami” in the second year of Kansei (寛政, 1790) and died on the 25th day of the eighth month Bunsei twelve (文政, 1829) at the age of 75.

Many of his students had gone on to receive great notoriety, the most famous of whom was his son, Sukenaga, who took over as the head of the Yokoyama School.

Sukenaga was proud of his Bizen roots, toting that he was the 56th generation of Tomonari, and was considered the most talented smith of the Yokoyama smiths. (Reference: Fujishiro; Sesko)

This sword displays Sukehira’s versatility and skill as a swordsmith.  It has beautiful jigane and sugata. The hada is expertly forged, ko-itame. The hamon is sugaha based, but with gumome and midare.  There is mist of nio forming a sort of utsuri and making the appearance of condensation. The nio-guchi is thick with konie. It is a very powerful sword in hand.  It is a beautiful sword, done in the Satsuma style of the Motohira Den.  

This sword is not the typical work of Yokoyama Sukehira, rather it reminds us of Satsuma, Motohira Den works. It is signed Biyō Osafune-jū Sukehira kore o tsukuru“ (備陽長船住祐平造之), and dated Tenmei Kinmoto-mi, roughly 1785.  Kinmoto-mi is a date derived from the zodiac system. This sword was the made during the Year of the Snake.  The snake is considered lucky in Japanese culture.   

Given the date of 1785,  it would be one of his earliest extant works, under the Sukehira working name.  If authenticated, this makes the sword very important, since it would have been made 3 years prior to 1788, the supposed date that he started training with Motohira.  This is a sword that could correct history.  For this reason, it needs to go in front of the NBTHK* for research. The NTHK did not paper it, but suggested it was Motohira-Den. Since Sukehira was Motohira’s student, it is plausible that this is one of his early works done in Motohira-Satsuma style.

Yokoyama Sukehira went on to become famous in his own right and is credited as the originator of the prolific Yokoyama School of sword making.  

If this sword papers it will be worth much more than $7500; especially as an important extant artifact.

*The Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai or Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword (N.B.T.H.K.) has long been recognized as the most respected organization in the world dedicated to the preservation of Japanese Art Swords. Not to be confused with the NTHK.