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Important Cultural Property

Long Sword (Tachi), Kiku Gosaku with Hairline Chrysanthemum Engraving

太刀 銘（菊紋）菊御作
Long Sword (Tachi), Kiku Gosaku with Hairline Chrysanthemum Engraving (太刀 銘（菊紋）菊御作)
PLATE IImage: Kyoto National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Metalwork · Kamakura period, 13th century · held by Kyoto National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan · Kikusaku.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category
Metalwork
Date
1201–1300
Creator
Kikusaku (菊作、菊御作)
Dimensions
Length78.1cm:Curvature2.2cm
Catalogue ID
cobas-3264

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Same creator
Kikusaku →

Long Sword (Tachi) (Kiku Gosaku) With hairline chrysanthemum engraving Go-Toba(1180–1239) was the first emperor ever to ascend without receiving the three imperial regalia. The imperial sword was then lost at sea during the 1185 Battle of Dannoura. Go-Toba later became fascinated with swords, even quenching blades himself with help from imperial smiths (goban kaji). The chrysanthemum crest he used on these is now the imperial emblem.

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

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Long Sword (Tachi), Kiku Gosaku with Hairline Chrysanthemum Engraving（太刀 銘（菊紋）菊御作）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-3264. Kyoto National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/long-sword-tachi-kiku-gosaku-with-hairline-chrysanthemum-engraving/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Category: Applied arts:Arms and armor:Blades:Tachi|Applied arts:By media:Metalwork|Applied arts:By region:Japan
  • Genre: Metalwork
  • Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
  • Size: Length78.1cm:Curvature2.2cm
  • 員数: 1口
  • 種別: 工芸:武器・武具:刀剣:太刀|工芸:素材別:金工|工芸:地域別:日本
  • 分類: 金工
  • 法量: 刃長78.1cm:反り2.2cm
  • 銘文等: 佩表はばき元に菊紋

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