This is a beautifully forged katana by Kotani Kaneyoshi (小谷包義), a renowned swordsmith of the Mino tradition, born in 1894 in Makita Village (modern-day Ōgaki, Gifu Prefecture). Trained under Kurihara Hikosaburō, he became a leading figure at the Nihontō Gakuin and earned national recognition, including First Prize in the 1941 New Sword Exhibition, as well as selection for prestigious government-sponsored commemorations.
The blade measures approximately 59.2 cm, with a well-defined gunome-midare hamon, showing tight control and excellent polish. The curvature and taper are graceful, reflecting Kotani’s mastery and strong Mino lineage.
This sword is housed in a rare Japanese Navy officer’s koshirae, but the saya is covered in black leather, indicating it was likely used by a Naval Landing Force (rikukaigun) officer, a scarce configuration rarely encountered.
Given Kotani’s early passing in 1950 at the age of 57, and the scarcity of his surviving works, this sword represents a rare and important example of Shōwa-period master craftsmanship.