Sadamitsu Katana with NBTHK Certificate commemorating the Attack on the Imperial Palace
Historically important Katana from an interesting time in the final years of the Samurai describing the attack on the Imperial Palace in Kyoto on the 18th of August 1863,This Katana is Made by Hori Minamoto Sadamitsu from Kyôto to Commemorate this Historic Battle. Sadamitsu was a student of Gassan Sadakazu. Mounted in Shirasaya with Koshirae with Wave motif Tsuba ,Fuchi Kashira are also wave motif in gold set in a fine Nanako ground. Gold Dragon Menuki.
Inscription Reads
I was part of the army that was raised in awareness of the Imperial Court against the various Lords [daimyô].
On the 18th day of the eighth month Bunkyû three (1863), year of the boar, we were able to overcome the
enemy at the Sakaimachi Gate after we fought there for three days with all our might and until our weapons
were smashed. I gave the money that I thankfully received as a reward [for my effort in this battle] to Sadamitsu to forge
me a sword that should be handed down within successive generations [of my family].
Niibo Toshikata.
平安城堀井源貞光造之
文久三亥八月十八日朝延有戒心微諸侯之兵與吾輩共
界街郭門勤◯争三日各得物携碎肺肝斬退治
天賞之贈金予是金與貞光江鍛釼故子孫寿伝之
新穂利堅
SADAMITSU (貞光), Keiō (慶応, 1865-1868), Yamashiro – “Heianjō-jū Horii Ryū´unsai Minamoto Sadamitsu saku”
(平安城住堀井龍雲斎源貞光作), student of Gassan Sadakazu (月山貞一), gō Ryū´unsai (龍雲斎), relative many
katana but hardly any wakizashi or tantō are extant by him, katana have mostly a wide mihaba, an elongated kissaki, and an
iori or mitsu-mune,
