Treasures of JapanA catalogue of Japan's designated cultural properties 2,690 works catalogued

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Important Cultural Property

Blade for a Long Sword ("Katana"), Named "Kiriha Sadamune"

刀(名物 切刃貞宗)
Blade for a Long Sword ("Katana"), Named "Kiriha Sadamune" (刀(名物 切刃貞宗))
PLATE IImage: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Swords & Armour · Nanbokuchō period, 14th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Date
1301–1400
Location
Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID
cobas-77970

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This blade reportedly belonged to the powerful warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598), who is famous today as one of the Three Unifiers of Japan. The surface is engraved with various symbols, including an inscription in Sanskrit, the sacred language of Buddhism. The samurai believed these symbols would grant them divine protection in battle.

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

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Blade for a Long Sword ("Katana"), Named "Kiriha Sadamune"(刀(名物 切刃貞宗)).” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-77970. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/blade-for-a-long-sword-katana-named-kiriha-sadamune/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Genre: Arms & Armor
  • Category: Applied arts:Arms and armor:Blades:Katana
  • Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
  • 員数: 1口
  • 分類: 刀剣
  • 種別: 工芸:武器・武具:刀剣:刀
  • 銘文等: 無銘

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Long Sword (Katana) (刀 金象嵌銘 城和泉守所持 正宗磨上 本阿(花押))

Long Sword (Katana)

刀 金象嵌銘 城和泉守所持 正宗磨上 本阿(花押)
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