SIGNED JINCHU HOKOKU [UTMOST LOYALTY FOR THE NATION], MINAMOTO YOSHIMUNE SAKU, AND KOKI NISEN ROPPYAKU SANNEN JUGATSU [THE 2603RD YEAR FOLLOWING THE BIRTH OF THE NATION ACCORDING TO THE ANCIENT SHINTO DATING SYSTEM - OCTOBER 1942, SHOWA 1942]

Takahashi Yoshimune of Ehime Prefecture was the elder brother of Takahashi Sadatsugu, who became the first swordsmith to be designated a Ningen Kokuho [Living National Treasure] in 1955. He studied under Yokoyama Sukesada, Itsumi Yoshitaka, and also Enju Kunitoshi. He later worked in Osaka with Sadatsugu. The sword particularly reflects his early schooling in the Bizen style under Yokoyama Sukesada, and the quality of the blade is commensurate with the sentiment put into its manufacture as recorded by the loyal inscription on the tang.