厚藤四郎

Awataguchi Yoshimitsu's tantō are collectively known as 'Tōshirō' blades after the master's given name, and among this celebrated family of short swords, Atsushi Tōshirō stands apart for its unusual thickness. While Yoshimitsu's typical tantō are known for their elegance and slender form, this blade is heavy and robust — a paradox that has fascinated collectors for centuries. How could the same master who produced the gossamer-thin Namazuo Tōshirō also make such a powerfully built blade? Sword scholars speculate it was made to fulfill a specific commission — perhaps for a warrior who needed a blade strong enough for armor-piercing thrusts in close combat. As a treasure of the Tokugawa shōgunate, it was part of the collection of guardian blades that symbolized the dynasty's power. Its fame has been renewed in the modern era through the game Touken Ranbu, where the character of Atsushi Tōshirō is depicted as a dependable elder brother figure — a fitting image for a blade whose very thickness suggests reliability and strength.