A beautifully mounted shinto katana in the takada tradition. This blade is signed “ TAKADA JU FUJIWARA MUNEYUKI”. The NBTHK awarded this Hozon origami attesting to the authenticity of the signature. The blade is katana length and well balanced. This sword shows good hataraki, there are ashi and yo and the hamon is choji/gunome. The hada is itame. This Katana is a work of Muneyuki, It is understood the technical exchanges between Tadayoshi school in Hizen domain became very active during 17th C. This katana shows a resemblance to some works of Hizen. The blade is well made and has an elegant shape. Slightly machi-okuri the signature is authentic and adds to this work by MUNEYUKI.

The mounts are attractive with its large double phoenix menuki.. The Tsuka-ito is a silk wrapped cord in a whitish crème color. The scabbard/saya is red lacquer finished. The Tsuba is of the Heianjo style with brass inlay on a sukashi plate. The fuchi/kashira are of gold inlay waves.  There is a silver foiled habaki, all the koshirai is antique and original.

Takeda school information:

[Bunshu Takada-ju], the name of clan [Fujiwara] and smith name [MUNEYUKI] . 
The founder of Takada lineage in Kenmu (1330’s) in Bungo domain was TOMOYUKI who was a disciple of SAMONJI in Chikuzen domain. During the Sengoku Warning States period, The sword makers of Takada school had worked for a feudal lord Ōtomo Sōrin exclusively. It’s workmanship covers wide range such as Sōshu Bizen, Mino or Yamashiro schools. 
The subject blade is distinguished as a work of the Muneyuki It is understood the technical exchanges between Tadayoshi school in Hizen domain became very active during 17th C.