Japanese Samurai Katana Kouda 1329 Uda School NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Sword

Japanese Samurai Katana  Kouda, 1329

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon (Blade) | NBTHK Hozon (Koshirae)

Description

This exquisite Japanese samurai katana, attributed to Kouda in 1329, is a remarkable example of refined Japanese craftsmanship from the late Kamakura to early Nanbokuchō period. The sword is mounted in an elegant black lacquered scabbard with blue shell dusting (Koshirae), combining durability with striking visual appeal. Meticulously preserved and authenticated, this blade embodies both functionality and artistry, reflecting the turbulent age in which it was forged.

Historical Context – The Samurai Age

This katana was forged in 1329, at the very end of the Kamakura shogunate and the dawn of the Nanbokuchō period (1336–1392). It was an era defined by political upheaval, as the Imperial Court in Kyoto and the newly established rival court in Yoshino fought for supremacy. Samurai clans were thrust into constant warfare, and their swords became essential tools of survival as well as symbols of loyalty and prestige.

During this transitional age, swords grew in importance not only as weapons but also as spiritual companions of the samurai, embodying honor, discipline, and the warrior’s code that would later be known as Bushidō. The quality of the forging reflected both the practical demands of battlefield combat and the cultural refinement of the era’s elite warriors.

Uda School & Kouda Lineage

The Uda school, established by Konyūdō Kunimitsu in the late Kamakura period, produced blades known for their strength, balance, and durability. Successive smiths such as Kunifusa, Kunimune, and Kunitsugu carried the tradition forward into the Muromachi era.
Blades outside the direct Nanbokuchō period are generally categorized under the Kouda lineage, to which this sword belongs. These works are admired for their tight forging patterns, functional elegance, and a style that bridges the martial needs of war with the aesthetic ideals of Japanese sword art.

Certification & Preservation

• NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon (Special Preservation Sword) – attesting to the blade’s high quality, authenticity, and cultural importance.

• NBTHK Hozon (Preserved Sword – Koshirae) – confirming the fine preservation and originality of its mounts.

Blade Specifications

• Blade Length (Nagasa): 64.9 cm (slightly over 2 shaku 1 sun 4 bu)

• Curvature (Sori): 1.2 cm

• Width at Hamachi: 2.8 cm

• Kasane (Thickness at Hamachi): 6 mm

• Width at Kissaki: 1.7 cm

• Saki Kasane (Thickness at Kissaki): 4.5 mm

• Mekugi-ana  4

Collectors’ Significance

This Mumei Katana by Kouda is far more than a preserved weapon—it is a window into the samurai era of the 14th century, when loyalty, honor, and martial skill defined Japanese society. The sword’s Tokubetsu Hozon certificate underscores its historical and artistic importance, making it a treasured addition to any serious collection of Japanese swords.