Sword of Ōsumi Toshihira

Ōsumi Toshihira (1932–2009) was a leading figure in Japanese sword forging and the foremost of contemporary swordsmiths, based in Ōta, Gunma Prefecture. He was certified as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) in 1997. He trained under Miyairi Akihira (Living National Treasure), who led the postwar revival of Japanese swordsmithing, and fulfilled his mission of passing down ancient iron-making and forging techniques to the present day.

The greatest hallmark of Toshihira's swords lies in their being made from tamahagane and in the suguha, which he developed by studying the Bitchū Aoe school of the Kamakura period. He is known for having continued to make suguha swords using tamahagane throughout his life, except for his very earliest works.

He won the Masamune Prize three times at the New Sword Exhibition (Shinsaku Meitō-ten), in 1974, 1976, and 1978. In 1977, he was certified as a holder of a Gunma Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property. He also dedicated swords for the Shikinen Sengū (periodic rebuilding) of Ise Jingū.

Even after being recognized as a Living National Treasure, he continued to produce works vigorously, releasing many masterpieces until his death in 2009. His hometown of Ōta has the Ōsumi Toshihira Art Museum, which presents his works and achievements.