Auction introduction: The 'Mikazuki Kanemitsu', or the Crescent Moon Kanemitsu, was rediscovered by Paul L. Davidson (1947-2020), the first President of the American Branch of the Nihon Bijutsu Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword]. In 2017, the late Watanabe Taeko (1937–2024), former director of the Sano Art Museum, was preparing her exhibition Treasure Swords of the Uesugi Clan. Researching, among many other sources, the list of blades designated Juyo Token [Important Sword] and Tokubetsu Juyo Token [Exceptionally Important Sword], she realised that this tachi, which had reached the latter status in 2008, was indeed the 'Mikazuki Kanemitsu' featured in the Uesugi sword register personally compiled by Uesugi Kagekatsu (1556-1623). This important sword will be offered for sale through Sotheby's Sealed at 10:00AM EDT on 25th March, alongside the online sale Important Japanese Swords and Armour from the Paul L. Davidson Collection. Sotheby’s Sealed is an innovative closed bid auction platform that ensures confidentiality in bid amounts and selling prices while preserving the interactive and exciting qualities of a standard open auction. Bidders will not be able to see any bids except their own, but they can monitor the ranks of their bids on a dynamic leaderboard and choose to increase their bids at any point before the lot closes. If you were previously the high bidder, but a bid placed by another bidder exceeds yours, you will be notified via email.