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Updated: 8 Feb 2025

Ep.9 Perfect Guide to Reading the NBTHK/NTHK Certificate

As you may know, our shop is handling authentic Japanese swords most of which come with the certificate.
NBTHK(Nihon Bijutsu Tohken Hozon Kyoukai) and NTHK(Nihon Tohken Hozon Kai) have appraised the traditional Japanese swords for many decades.

This time, we would like to show you how to read the NBTHK/NTHK certificate. Hopefully, this one helps you get more specific when choosing your Japanese sword.

I. NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tohken Hozon Kyoukai) Certificate

As mentioned in the 4th episode(If you haven’t read the article: Ep.4 ), NBTHK is currently the leading organization for Japanese sword appraisal.

Here is the NBTHK certificate;


①:Title; Kanteisho
Title of the document, which means “Certificate” in Japanese.
NBTHK certificate should either be titled Kanteisho, Ninteisho, or Shiteisho, depending on the rank and when the document was issued.

②: Category/Signature/Length
It reads, ” 1. Katana, Mei(Signature) Hyo-Zaemon Fujiwara Yoshinobu From Shinano – Made in August, Genji 1st. Length: 73.6cm(29.0 inches)”.

③: Statement
Words of approval on the authenticity and rarity of the sword.

④: Issue date/Name of Organization
This means that the document was issued on February 19th, *Reiwa 2nd by NBTHK.
*Reiwa 2nd is 2020 in Julian’s calendar. Japan has another calendar based on the reign of the Japanese emperor.

⑤: Reference Number/Matching Stamp

The reference number is given randomly to prevent the certificate’s piracy.
The other half of the matching stamp is printed on the profile kept by NBTHK.

⑥: Ranking/Ranking Registration Number
特保(Tokuho) is short for Tokubetsu Hozon; It is the third-highest of four ranks given by NBTHK. The first and second ranks are rarely issued.

⑦: Registration Number by Board of Education
This sword has a record of registration in Saitama Pref. Board of Education on October 17th, Showa 26th (1951) as No.4773. It means that the sword had initially been registered to the organization on the given date.

NBTHK JUYO Token for sale

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token for sale

NBTHK Hozon Token for sale

 

II. NTHK(Nihon Tohken Hozon Kai) Certificate
As opposed to the NBTHK certificate, the NTHK Certificate offers a more elaborate explanation of the sword’s features. This is what it looks like.

①: Title;Kanteisho
Title of the document, which means “Certificate” in Japanese.
The NTHK certificate should either be titled Kanteisho, Shinteisho, or Yushuto, depending on the ratings and when the document was issued.

②: Category; Katana

③: Place of Origin/Artist
It reads as “Den Noshu Wakasanokami Ujifusa”.
It means that the sword is a work made in Noshu by the swordsmith called Wakasanokami Ujifusa.

④: Status/Length

The top two Kanji say, “Proved Authentic.”
Length: About 70cm(27.6inches)

⑤: Date of Issue
March 15th, Reiwa 2nd(2020)

⑥: Name of Organization/Representative

It says, “Non-Profitable Legal Corp, Nihon Tohken Hozon Kai. Principle Joji Miyano”

Cf) NTHK is registered as a Non-Profitable Organization(NPO) by the government.

Joji Miyano is the current principle of NTHK. It means that the document was issued by the principle himself.

<BACK>
1.Reference Number

2.Mei-Bun: Signature
It says, “Oh-Suriage Mumei,” which means that this sword was remade from Tachi into Katana, and there is no signature.

3.Tsukuri-Komi: Details
Oohira-Tsukuri – means that
Iori-Mune – means that the blade’s figure resembles a house with a triangle rooftop.

4.Kitae

5.Hamon
It says, “Asai Notare Midare,” which means the waves are thin and have round carves like mountains.

6.Boshi
It says, “Masskugu ni komaru ni kaeru,” which means that the blade’s tip slightly veers horizontally.

7.Cho-Koku; Sculpture

8.Chu-Shin
It refers to Nakago(Blade’s bottom).

9.Notes
“Made around the Genki period(1570-1573).”

10.Stamps of Appraisers

These appraisers are official members of NTHK.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————

That is all about how to read the NBTHK/NTHK certificate.

We strive to present to you the purest joy and wholesomeness of owning the Japanese sword. It is our pleasure to introduce you to the culture, so please feel free to ask us if there is anything that does not make sense to you. Thank you for reading.

SAMURAI MUSEUM

Antique Japanese Sword Tachi

Antique Japanese Sword Katana

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi

Antique Japanese Sword Tanto

 

  • $6,578.95

    DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO :
    USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Koshirae Case (Decorative Sword Mountings),  Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Wakizashi (SHINTO)
    Age 12th year of the Bunka era (1815: Late Edo period)
    Swordsmith Katō Tsunahide (加藤綱英)
    Certificate NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
    Location Edo (today’s Tokyo)
    Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 38.5 cm (15.1 inches)
    Curvature: 0.6 cm (0.23 inches) 

    More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us. 

  • $5,592.11

    DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO :
    USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Koshirae Case (Decorative Sword Mountings),  Traditional Sword Carrying Bag, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Wakizashi (SHINTO)
    Age Early Edo period (Mid 17th century)
    Swordsmith Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi
    (丹波守吉道:Kyo Yoshimichi 2nd-gen)
    Certificate NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
    Location Yamashiro province (Today’s Kyoto)
    Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 40.0 cm (15.7 inches)
    Curvature: 0.70 cm (0.27 inches) 

    More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us. 

  • $21,710.53

    DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO :
    USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate for the Katana, NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the Wakizashi, Shirasaya Case×2, Koshirae Mounting×2, Traditional Sword Carrying Case×2 (for Shirasaya& Koshirae), Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Katana (SHINTO)& Wakizashi (SHINTO)
    Age Mid Edo period (1688-1704)
    Early Edo period (1673-1681)
    Swordsmith Hizen koku Jyu Ōmi Daijō Fujiwara Tadayoshi
    (肥前國住近江大掾藤原忠吉)

    Mutsu no Kami Fujiwara Toshinaga
    (陸奥守藤原歳長)
    Certificate NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate& Hozon Certificate
    Location Hizen province (Today’s Saga prefecture)
    Yamashiro Province (Today’s Kyoto)
    ⇒ Ise province(Mie prefecture)
    Blade Size Cutting Length: 70.0 cm (27.5 inches)
    Curvature: 1.8 cm (0.7 inches)

    Cutting Length: 48.1 cm (18.9 inches)
    Curvature: 1.4 cm (0.55 inches)

    More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us. 

  • $23,026.32

    DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO:
    USA, UK, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Hong Kong, France, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case (Plain Wooden Case), Koshirae Mounting, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Wakizashi (SHINTO)
    Age Early Edo Period (1661-1681)
    Swordsmith Kazusa no Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige (上総守藤原兼重)
    Certificate NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
    Location Musashi province  (today’s Tokyo prefecture)
    Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 54.8  cm (21.6 inches)
    Curvature:  0.90 cm (0.35 inches)  

    Thank you for visiting our website. This sword was sold as each antique Japanese sword is one of a kind. However, we might be able to show you something similar because we have various types of swords available. Also, there are ones that aren’t listed on the website yet. Our customer service will help you find your ideal blade you will cherish for generations. Please feel free to contact us or check the list of swords. We will be more than happy to help you.

  • $11,513.16

    DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO :
    USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Katana ( KOTO)
    Age Late Kamakura- Nanbokucho Period (Early-Late 14th century)
    Swordsmith Attributed to Ko-Mihara (古三原: Unsigned)
    Certificate NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
    Location Bingo Province (Today’s Hiroshima prefecture)
    Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 68.4 cm (26.9 inches)
    Curvature: 1.96 cm (0.77 inches)

    More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us. 

  • $10,526.32

    DELIVERY TIME: Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO:
    USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED: NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Koshirae Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Katana (SHIN SHIN TO)
    Age Late Edo period (Mid-Late 19th century)
    Swordsmith Attributed to Buzen no kami Kiyondo(豊前守清人: Unsigned)
    Certificate NBTHK Hozon Certificate
    Location Dewa province (Today’s Yamagata prefecture)
    Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 68.1 cm (26.8 inches)
    Curvature: 1.8 cm (0.70 inches)

    More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us. 

  • $16,447.37

    DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO :
    USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Koshirae Mounting, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Katana (SHIN SHIN TO)
    Age The 3rd year of the Kouka era (1846: Late Edo period)
    Swordsmith Chounsai Tsunatoshi (長運斎綱俊)
    Certificate NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
    Location Musashi province (Today’s Tokyo)
    Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 71.2 cm (28.0 inches)
    Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.78 inches)

    More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us. 

  • $7,894.74

    DELIVERY TIME: Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO:
    USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED: NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Case (Decorative Sword Mounting), Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Bag, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Katana (KOTO)
    Age late-Muromachi period (1532-1555)
    Swordsmith Iemori (家守)
    Certificate NBTHK Hozon Certificate
    Location Bungo province (Today’s Oita prefecture)
    Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 67.3 cm (26.5 inches)
    Curvature: 1.3 cm (0.51 inches) 

    More photos& videos available on request. Please feel free to contact us. 

  • $5,592.11

    DELIVERY TIME: Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO:
    USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED: NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the blade&Koshirae, Koshirae Case (Decorative Sword Mounting), Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Bag, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Katana (KOTO)
    Age Estimated the late Muromachi period
    (the late 15 – mid 16th century)
    Swordsmith Attributed to Kashu Katsuie (加州勝家: Unsigned)
    Certificate NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the blade & Koshirae
    Location Kaga province (Today’s Ishikawa prefecture)
    Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 70.3 cm (27.6 inches)
    Curvature: 1.5 cm (0.59 inches) 

    Thank you for visiting our website. This sword was sold as each antique Japanese sword is one of a kind. However, we might be able to show you something similar because we have various types of swords available. Also, there are ones that aren’t listed on the website yet. Our customer service will help you find your ideal blade you will cherish for generations. Please feel free to contact us or check the list of swords. We will be more than happy to help you.

  • $18,092.11

    DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
    *We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

    SHIPPING TO:
    USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia
    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

    INCLUDED: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Hozon Certificate for the Koshirae, Shirasaya Case (Plain Wooden Case), Koshirae Mounting, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

    Category Wakizashi (SHINTO)
    Age Early Edo Period (1658-1661)
    Swordsmith Echizen no Kami Minamoto no Sukehiro (越前守源助広)
    Certificate NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate for the blade& Hozon Certificate for the Koshirae
    Location Settsu province  (Today’s Osaka prefecture)
    Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 55.4 cm (21.85 inches)
    Curvature: 0.90 cm (0.36 inches)  

    Thank you for visiting our website. This sword was sold as each antique Japanese sword is one of a kind. However, we might be able to show you something similar because we have various types of swords available. Also, there are ones that aren’t listed on the website yet. Our customer service will help you find your ideal blade you will cherish for generations. Please feel free to contact us or check the list of swords. We will be more than happy to help you.