Kantei

NH-1022 Rank 96

Kashū Kiyomitsu

Katana signed 清光 (Kiyomitsu), of the Kaga lineage, with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken papers, a tachi-style mounting and a shirasaya.

Shintō (1596-1780)Kanbun era (1661–1673)KagaNBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

Silhouette of the blade to scale, aligned at the machi

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

Katana by Kashū Kiyomitsu, a lineage of smiths in Kaga province active from the late Muromachi period to the end of Edo. The original seller places it around the Kanbun era (1661–1673) and notes that the name Kashū Kiyomitsu is associated with Okita Sōji of the Shinsengumi; this refers to the lineage, not to this blade. It measures 72.5 cm in nagasa, with 2.0 cm of sori, a motohaba of 3 cm and a kasane of 6.5 mm at the base. The photographs show a polished shinogi-zukuri blade with a medium kissaki. The tang bears the two-character signature 清光 (Kiyomitsu) on the omote and two mekugi-ana; its shape and the position of the signature point to an intact tang. The NBTHK certified it Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken in 2026, attributing it to Kiyomitsu of Kashū. It comes with a plain wooden shirasaya and a tachi-style mounting: a tsuka wrapped over same, a mokkō-shaped iron tsuba, two hangers (ashi) with their cord and a dark red lacquered saya with relief texture. The original seller neither describes nor dates the mounting, which is documented only in the photographs.

Strong points

  • NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken papers (2026)
  • Signed 清光 (Kiyomitsu), Kaga lineage
  • Complete tachi-style mounting with a mokkō iron tsuba and a relief-lacquered saya
  • Comes with a shirasaya

Points to bear in mind

  • The original seller neither describes nor dates the mounting: it is documented only in the photographs.
  • The condition of the blade is not declared.
  • The two-character signature does not establish which generation of the smith made it.
  • The tsuka wrap and the cord show signs of wear.

Score breakdown

58.1/100

The score shares out 100 points: Signature and date 18 · Tang 22 · Mounting 18 · Declared condition 20 · Blade 8 · Shirasaya 4 · Price 10. It is computed from the record, not from an opinion. The mounting starts from what is known of its period, adds what vouches for it (its own NBTHK paper, a signed fitting, a crest) and subtracts what has been restored (saya, ito, same, habaki or sageo).

  1. Signature and date 10 of 18 Signed, with no engraved date
  2. Tang 18 of 22 Tang intact according to the photographs, with 2 mekugi-ana
  3. Mounting -2 of 18 Mounting documented only in the photographs
  4. Declared condition 11 of 20 Condition not declared
  5. Blade 8 of 8 72.5 cm: within the usable range
  6. Shirasaya 4 of 4 With a storage shirasaya
  7. Price 9.1 of 10 Rank 15 of 162 by price, from the most affordable to the dearest