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

Blade for a Dagger (Tantō), Named “Great Hōshō”

短刀（号 大保昌）
Blade for a Dagger (Tantō), Named “Great Hōshō” (短刀（号 大保昌）)
PLATE IImage: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Swords & Armour · Kamakura period · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Date
1317
Location
Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID
cobas-77971

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This dagger blade was made by Sadayoshi and named “Great Hōshō” due to its massive size. The word “Hōshō” refers to an important group of sword makers in Nara, to which Sadayoshi belonged. He used the school's signature forging technique to make the blade, resulting in a surface texture that resembles parallel wood grain.

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

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Blade for a Dagger (Tantō), Named “Great Hōshō”（短刀（号 大保昌））.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-77971. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/blade-for-a-dagger-tant-named-great-h-sh/ — 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
  • Category: Applied arts:Arms and armor:Blades:Tantō
  • 員数: 1口
  • 分類: 刀剣
  • 種別: 工芸:武器・武具:刀剣:短刀
  • 銘文等: 銘 南都高市郡住藤原貞吉／文保元丁巳年二月吉日

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