Etchū Norishige

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Etchū Norishige (則重; 1290–1366) was a Japanese swordsmith of the late Kamakura period. He was a contemporary and possibly a pupil of Masamune.^[1] His swords are noted for their distinct matsukawa hada 松皮肌 (pine bark grain).^{[2] [3]} One of his works is classified as Kokuho (National Treasures) by the Ministry of Culture, the highest classification for a sword.^[2]

Norishige is regarded as one of the greatest Japanese swordsmiths in history.^[4] In the 14th century, he had a forge in the fief of Nei, present-day Toyama Prefecture.^[4] He made and supplied the finest katana to samurai in the Kamakura period.^[4]

The Katana Mumei Norishige is designated as a national treasure of Japan. It was once the possession of Shimazu Narioki, 27th daimyō of the Shimazu clan and ruler of the Satsuma domain.^[4] Narioki gifted the katana to Kagoshima Shrine (鹿児島神宮).^[4] However, it went missing in the 20th century. It's believed to have been exported by Allied occupation forces after World War II.^[4]

In 2018, Norishige's katana was bought by Australian sword collector Ian Brooks from a seller in New York.^[4] The sword is unsigned, but it has the kanji 島神社 which matches Kagoshima Shrine and cataloging numbers on the scabbard wrapping that match the shrine's records.^[4] Ian Brooks stated he intends to have the sword returned to Kagoshima Shrine after his death.^[4]

• List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts: swords)

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