Sadanao Mikami was born in 1955 in Mizuho Town (present-day Onan Town), Ochi-gun, Shimane Prefecture.

In 1974, he was apprenticed to Gassan Sadakazu, a living national treasure (holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property) in Nara Prefecture, and in 1980, he was certified by the Agency for Cultural Affairs to make swords and established the Mikami Sadanao Nihonto Forging Dojo in Kitahiroshima-cho, Yamagata-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture.

Since 1981, he has received numerous awards at the New Sword Exhibition, including the Prince Takamatsu Award twice, the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Award twice, the Mainichi Newspaper Award once, the Kunzan Award twice, the Excellence Award once, and the Effort Award three times. Yoshihara Kunie succeeded him as president of the All Japan Swordsmith Association, and he continues to be a leader in the sword world today.

He specializes in "Soden Bizen," a swordsmithing method that was devised in the Nanbokucho period that incorporated the Soshuden method, and has produced many works that follow the production method of swordsmith Bizen Chogi.

---

Swordsmith name: Sadanao

Real name: Takanori Minami

Birthplace: Shimane Prefecture

Birth year: 1955

How did you become a swordsmith?
In my senior year of high school, I became interested in the world of swordsmithing after reading Gassan Sadakazu's book, "Living with Japanese Swords".

Personal Motto
Like clouds in the sky and flowing water, do not get deeply attached to things, but let nature take its course without small egos.