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Swordsmith of Kita-Hiroshima (Hiroshima) · sōden-Bizen

Mikami Sadanao (三上貞直)

A swordsmith of Hiroshima, pupil of Gassan Sadakazu, mukansa since 1995 and master of sōden-Bizen

Mikami Sadanao (三上貞直) has been forging since 1980 in Kita-Hiroshima. A pupil of Gassan Sadakazu, he has been mukansa since 1995, is an intangible cultural property of Hiroshima prefecture and presided over the Zen Nihon Tōshōkai from 2013 to 2019. His field is sōden-Bizen, the blend of Bizen and Sōshū of the Nanbokuchō period.

Photo: 中国新聞 (Chūgoku Shinbun)

1955
Born in Shimane
1980
Opens his forge in Kita-Hiroshima
1995
NBTHK mukansa
2006
Intangible cultural property of Hiroshima
On this page
  1. Quick profile
  2. In short

Quick profile

Name
Mikami Sadanao HD
Kanji and reading
三上貞直 (Mikami Sadanao) HD
Birth
1955, in Mizuho (now Ōnan), Shimane prefecture; son of a smith of farm tools AT
Where he forges
Kita-Hiroshima, Hiroshima prefecture, since 1980 AT
Master
月山貞一 (Gassan Sadakazu), the second, Living National Treasure, from 1974 AT
School or tradition
相伝備前 (sōden-Bizen), in the manner of 長義 (Chōgi) AT
Licence
1980 AT
Rank
Mukansa (無鑑査, mukansa) since 1995 AT
At the NBTHK Gendai Tōshokuten
Does not exhibit from 2021 to 2026 HD

In short

He learned in Nara from Gassan Sadakazu and opened his forge in Kita-Hiroshima in 1980. He became mukansa in 1995 and an intangible cultural property of Hiroshima prefecture in 2006, and he presided over the national swordsmiths’ association from 2013 to 2019. The NBTHK chose a katana of his from 2016 for the second prize of its 2019 exhibition devoted to the finest works of the Heisei era. Outside the sword world he is known for the Lance of Longinus from the Evangelion series, more than three metres long.

Sections

  1. From Shimane to Kita-Hiroshima Life and forging His apprenticeship with Gassan Sadakazu, his forge and the Lance of Longinus.
  2. Sōden-Bizen Work and style Sōden-Bizen, his notable works and a gallery.
  3. Up to mukansa and after Prizes Each prize with its year, its competition and its level of evidence.
  4. At his forge Videos Three videos in which he appears.
  5. Bibliography and credits Sources The sources consulted and the image credits.