Yamato-no-kami Yasusada

Yamato-no-kami Yasusada was a swordsmith active in Edo during the early to mid-Edo period and is renowned for being ranked among the "Ryōgyōmono" for cutting performance and for his powerful Sōshū-tradition-influenced style characteristic of Edo shintsus swords. He is widely known through the blade bearing the "Yamato-no-kami Yasusada" signature said to have been cherished by Okita Sōji, first captain of the Shinsengumi's first unit, and as sword appreciation has increased in recent years, his name has become increasingly well-known.

Yasusada's blades are characterized by bold forged steel and hamon influenced by the Sōshū tradition. The jigane displays rough itame with patches of ō-hada, with active chikei and jinie, exhibiting the powerful iron color distinctive of the Sōshū tradition. The hamon features gunome, ō-gunome, and notare with heavy nie, with vigorous kinsuji and sunagashi working throughout, inheriting the bold irregularity characteristic of the Sōshū tradition. While influenced by Nagasone Kotetsu, Yasusada demonstrates his own individuality as an Edo swordsmith with a somewhat more restrained character.

The body-forms are primarily practical uchigatana of the type popular in mid-Edo—with substantial flesh-thickness, moderate sori, and medium kissaki—practical fighting blades. The blade signed "Yamato-no-kami Yasusada" said to have been owned by Okita Sōji is currently said to be of unknown location, but retains cultural-property value as a living testimony to Bakumatsu history.

Signatures include "Yamato-no-kami Yasusada" and "Yasusada" among others, and dated examples from his Edo period work also survive. Currently, multiple works by Yamato-no-kami Yasusada are designated as Important Swords and Special Important Swords, and are housed in the Tōken Hakubutsukan and in museums and private collections throughout Japan. Noted for his historical significance in the Bakumatsu context, yet equally valued for his standing as a master of sword-craftsmanship, he is respected equally by sword enthusiasts and researchers today.