Attribution

• Front Mei: Bicchunokuni Heianjou Minamoto Sukemitsu Minamoto Mitsukane
• Ura Inscription: Feb. 1993
• Collaboration: Gen Sukemitsu & Gen Mitsukane

Blade Specifications

• Ha-chō: 71.7 cm
• Sori: 1.3 cm
• Mekugi-ana: 1 hole
• Moto-haba: ≈31.7 mm
• Moto-kasane: ≈7.0 mm
• Saki-haba: ≈22.5 mm
• Saki-kasane: ≈5.2 mm
• Blade weight: ≈646 g
• Saya-barai: ≈885 g

Mountings (Koshirae)

• Overall length: ≈105.5 cm
• Tsuka length: ≈24.5 cm
• Saya length: ≈79.3 cm
• Fittings: Premium black lacquer saya, black silk sageo, decorative menuki & fuchi-kashira

Condition & Notes

This collaborative modern blade features a graceful hi-iri silhouette, crisp chu-suguha temper, and beautifully forged itame steel. Free from any bending, chips, or rust, it shows only minimal handling marks. Mounted in a high-grade black lacquer koshirae with tight fittings, it’s ready for both display and practical use in Iaido, Battō. 

Background

Master swordsmith Bitchū-no-Kuni Heianjō Gen Sukemitsu was born Yoshijiakeshi Takeshita in 1915 (Taishō 4). He first studied under swordsmith Masatsugu Okishiba in Osaka, then under his father, Eitarō Sukemitsu. Before the war he was selected as an official Army swordsmith, and afterward he won numerous awards at the New Famous Sword Exhibition, earning a reputation as a master craftsman.

Swordsmith Mitsukane, whose real name is Isao Kaneda of Kurashiki-Tamashima, is a long-time member of the All-Japan Swordsmith Association and has been selected for many honors.