Chokichi Suzuki was a Japanese metalworker who was an important figure in the Meiji crafts world and was appointed an Imperial Household Artist, a title that was the precursor to the so-called Living National Treasure.

For metalworkers at the time, who were losing their jobs due to the sword ban and anti-Buddhist movement during the Meiji period, Suzuki Chokichi's skills and international recognition played an important role in demonstrating the value of traditional Japanese crafts to the world.

Many of his works are exhibited as important cultural properties at the Tokyo National Museum and other institutions.

This is a very rare sword made by Suzuki Nagayoshi, who became an Imperial Household Artist as a Meiji metalworker, using the tsuba as a material.

Famous Imperial sword craftsmen of the same period, such as Miyamoto Kanenori and Gassan Sadakazu, are thought to have had technical exchanges with them.

It is likely that this is a masterpiece that was crafted many times over. It is also highly likely that it was crafted together with other swordsmiths with whom he had connections.
In Suzuki Chokichi's article, he also uses expressions that replace the smell of swords with that of other works of art, demonstrating his deep knowledge of swords.
There were many famous swordsmiths from the same period, but this sword also has a clear blade pattern and a firm appearance, demonstrating the skills of an Imperial craftsman.

In other words, what a master makes is proof that it is made with the skill of a master.

This sword is a precious masterpiece that demonstrates the fusion of Meiji era metalworking and sword-making techniques, and is valuable not only from a technical standpoint, but also from a historical and rarity standpoint.

It is unlikely that such a rare sword will ever be found again.

Please take this opportunity to purchase.

<Product details>
Inscription on the sword: Tsuba made by Nagayoshi of Musashi Province (front)
Length: 64.6cm Curvature: 2.0cm
Appraisal｜Preservation certificate original width｜33.7mm
Tip width｜21.9mm
Motoshige｜6.7mm
Tip weight｜5.4mm
Weight: Blade 734g, Unsheathed 844g

The Life of Suzuki Chokichi
August 15, 1848 (September 12, 1848 - January 29, 1919)
・His pen name is Kakou (Yoshiyuki).
He was born in Ishii Village, Iruma County, Musashi Province (present-day Sakado City, Saitama Prefecture).
He studied wax casting under Okano Toryusai in Matsuyama, Hiki County for five years, and at the age of 18, he became independent and opened a shop in Edo.
・Suzuki Nagayoshi's precise metalworking skills were also demonstrated in the production of sword decorations and sword fittings such as tsuba (guards) and kozuka (small sword fittings).
For metalworkers at the time, who were losing their jobs due to the sword ban and anti-Buddhist movement during the Meiji period, Suzuki Chokichi's skills and international recognition played an important role in demonstrating the value of Japan's traditional crafts to the world.

Major achievements: Received the highest evaluation for the work exhibited at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893; Representative work "Twelve Hawks" (Collection of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, designated as an Important Cultural Property)

Quoted from the National Crafts Museum https://www.momat.go.jp/craft-museum/collection/mt0157

・"Ornamental Crab" (Tokyo National Museum, designated an Important Cultural Property in 2001)
・June 30, 1896: Becomes an Imperial Household Artist