Antique Japanese Sword Daisho attributed to Masatoshi and Kanemoto with NTHK Kanteisho Certificate
【Description】
Katana
This blade is attributed to Masatoshi (正利), who was active during the late Edo period (Mid 19th century) in Sakushu province (today’s Okayama prefecture). NTHK’s appraisal will mention that His original name was Tada Shirouemon (多田四郎右衛門). Also, he is known as Sakuyo Bakkashi Tada Masatoshi (作陽幕下士多田正利), Sakushu Hanshi Tada Shirouemon no Jo Masatoshi (作州藩士多田四郎右衛門尉正利). Sakuyo Bakkashi means the retainer of the Tsuyama clan of Mimasaka. Both Sakuyo and Sakushu are another name of Mimasaka no Kuni (the region located in today’s Okayama prefecture), and Mimasaka is the region which was originally included in Bizen province and then split off. It means he resided in this area when forging blades. According to its appraisal, this blade is considered to have been forged around the Bunkyu era (1861-1864).
Masatoshi was born as the son of Tada Kanetoshi, who was a craftsman serving for Tsuyama Domain and active during the late Edo period (the early – mid 19th century) in Mimasaka. It is said that Masatoshi learned sword-forging techniques from Hosokawa Masayoshi (細川正義), who is one of the most famous swordsmiths at the end of the Edo period.
Masatoshi’s master Masayoshi was born in 1786 (the late Edo period) in Kanuma, located in today’s Tochigi prefecture, as the son of Hosokawa Ryosuke Masayoshi. At first, Masayoshi used the different character for Yoshi, and he forged blades for the Toda family, who was the feudal load of Utsunomiya, also located in today’s Tochigi prefecture. Later, Masayoshi learned sword-forging techniques under the master, Suishinshi Masahide (水心子正秀), one of the most famous swordsmiths in Samurai history. Then, he took over his father’s name as the second-gen Hosokawa Masayoshi, and became an Okakae Kaji for Matsudaira clan of Tsuyama Domain, which ruled Mimasaka no Kuni. Masayoshi moved to a mansion owned by Tsuyama Domain, forging blades for them. Okakaekaji is a swordsmith who exclusively forged blades for a specific clan or domain. Masayoshi often signed Sakuyo Bakkashi on his blades, but it is said that he mostly created blades residing in the Edo city for the Matsudaira family. Masayoshi was an extremely skilled swordsmith who was excellent at forging blades with the characteristic of the Bizen sword-forging style (BIZEN DEN) and the Soshu sword-forging style (SOSHUDEN), though he favored copying the Osaka Shinto style in his early years. He died in 1858 at the age of 73.
After Masatoshi had learned excellent sword-forging skills from Masayoshi, he also had nine disciples, including a famous blacksmith in Mimasaka, at the end of the Edo period. One of his disciples, Nobukatsu, became a swordsmith of Kumamoto Domain, so Masatoshi was also stationed in Higo province (today’s Kumamoto prefecture) and forged blades. Masatoshi died in the first year of the Genji era (1864).
Wakizashi
This blade is attributed to late-gen Kenemoto (兼元) during the late Muromachi period (Late 15th-Early 16th century). The swordsmith name Kanemoto lasted 27th generations from the Muromachi period (the early 16th century) to the Heisei period (modern-day).
It is said the most skilled Kanemoto of all is the second-gen, also known as Magoroku, who was one of the most famous MINO swordsmiths from the Muromachi period. He forged swords in the Mino province, which is renowned for a particular sword style called MINO-DEN. Each generation was good at creating swords with Sanbon Sugi tempering line (Hamon in Japanese). Sanbon Sugi tempering line resembles a small cedar tree/forest growing horizontally. Highly refined craftsmanship have been passed down for many generations.
About MINO DEN
MINO-DEN exceedingly prospered during Sengoku Jidai (Warring State period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, and Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province. Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers.
Furthermore, so many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area. Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had the reputation of their practical design and sharpness. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. This highly skilled sword-forging technique has been passed down for generations. The smith’s name “Kanemoto” was one of the most famous even after the warring state ended.
Horimono (Engraving)
The blade of this Katana has beautiful engravings on both sides. You would find the Horimono of Bonjis (梵字) and Gomahashi (護摩箸) on one side, and Bairyu (梅龍, the combination of Dragon and Japanese Apricot) on the other side.
Bonji (梵字) is Sanscrit characters carved into the blade invoking Buddhist deities. Sword carvings often depict Fudo Myo-O (不動明王, acalanātha) or his incarnations, and there are also Sanskrit characters that represent this god. Among the various Buddhist Buddhas, Fudo Myo-O was deeply worshiped by Samurai warriors. According to a theory, this god is the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来, Mahāvairocana, the principal image of esoteric Buddhism). Perhaps the most common type of Sanskrit character carved on the blades is the character “Kahn (カーン)”, which means Fudo Myo-O. There is also a Sanskrit character called “Kanmarn (カンマーン),” which is combined with the word “Man.” There was once a trend that Samurai warriors incorporated motifs with religious meaning into their battle costumes, such as armor and helmets, and this sword carving was also a way to express their religious beliefs.
Gomahashi (護摩箸) is a horimono in the form of the ritual chopsticks used in both Shinto and Buddhist rites.
Bairyu is a design in which the sword of Kurikara (倶利伽羅), the design of the sword with the dragon wrapped around it, is represented as a plum tree. Kurikara is the sword that Fudo Myo-O (不動明王, acalanātha) holds with his right hand. Fudo Myo-O is one of the objects of worship in Buddhism. According to a theory, it is the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来, Mahāvairocana, the principal image of esoteric Buddhism). Kurikara-ken was named after its appearance that Kurikara Ryu-O (倶利伽羅龍王, dragon) is winding around the sword. It is believed Kurikara-Ken could cut off worldly desires: Sandoku (三毒). Sandoku is the three fundamental human desires; Ton (貪, greed), Jin (瞋, anger, grudge), Chi (癡, delusion, complaint).
As for Japanese apricot blossoms, they begin to bloom in winter that snow still covers its tree so that people thought this flower tells the arrival of spring. Same as cherry blossom, it has been appreciated for a long time in Japan. People enjoy its adorable petal shape and scent, gracefully branched tree, and compose many poems. As it comes out in the cold season, it symbolizes the power of perseverance and vitality.
What is Daisho?
Daisho is a pair of two Japanese swords Samurai carried. During the Edo period, having Daisho in public places was considered social status for Samurai. Furthermore, Samurai were required to wear them under the law back then. Daisho is written as 大=Big and 小=Small. Dai part means Katana, and Sho part means Wakizashi.
*Please keep in mind that there is slight black rust on the Katana blade and a small Kitae Kizu on the blade of this Wakizashi. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
【Blade】
-Katana
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)： 70.4 cm (27.7 inches)
Curvature(Sori)：1.2 cm (0.47 inches)
-Wakizashi
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)：49.9 cm (19.6 inches)
Curvature(Sori)：0.9 cm (0.35 inches)
Hamon：
The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process
Jimon(Jihada)：
visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process
-Katana
-Wakizashi
Kissaki: Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword.
Nakago：Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword.
Japanese swordsmiths left the black rust on the tang because it prevents red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, and it is a great indicator for a Japanese sword specialist to estimate when the sword was forged.
Koshirae: Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya (Sabbard), Tsuka (Handle), Tsuba (Handguard).
Fuchi-Kashira：A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.
Tsuka and Menuki：Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
We assume Mogai (藻貝) is the motif of these Menuki. It is a design which combines an algae (藻, Mo) called and shellfish (貝, Kai) such as conch shells, scallops, and abalones. This combination is regarded as a good omen. This design is partly colored with inlays.
Since the ancient times, various shellfish have been used not only for food but also as currency, materials and so on in Japan. It is said that in the Heian period (794-1185), the aristocrats used clams to play a game called Kai-awase, which means shellfish matching. Also, in the Edo period (1603-1867), people began to collect shells to compose waka poems and to collect beautiful shells, and a pattern of several types of shells called Kaizukushi became a popular design. The popularity of shell patterns in the Edo period might have reflected on this work as well.
Tsuba and Habaki：Tsuba is the handguard for the Japanese Sword and Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped.
The theme of these Tsubas is the Unryu Zu (雲龍図). It is a combination of dragons (龍) and clouds (雲). Regarding the cloud pattern, clouds bring blessed rain and snow, and their movements significantly affect the day’s weather. Due to its supernatural power, a theory says that gods, spirits, and dragons dwell in the clouds. In Japan, there is a belief that worships dragons as water gods. Since rice cultivation has flourished in this country, people always treat water as an essential resource. We imagine some people wished for a plentiful harvest in the Unryu theme. From such a religious aspect, we could infer that dragon designs were familiar to people.
Also, these Tsubas might be categorized as the Nanban Tsuba (南蛮鍔), which means it was imported from overseas or created by imitating foreign-style Tsuba. The term “Nanban” refers to a foreign country that includes Portugal, Spain, and, in a broader sense, China. As stated in this certificate, Nanban Tsuba began to be imported from overseas in large numbers around the end of the Muromachi period (the mid 16th century), and it is said that foreign Tsuba makers were also making Tsubas in Nagasaki in the Edo period.
Saya： Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
These scabbards have a surface with a constant width notched pattern like an Inro (印籠, traditional Japanese case to store small objects) in the circumferential direction. This type of Saya is categorized as the Inro Kizami Zaya (印籠刻鞘).
Authentication Paper：NTHK-NPO Kanteisho Certificate for Katana, Wakizashi
NTHK, also known as NPO Nihon Touken Hozon Kai, is the oldest organization for sword authentication of Japanese swords in modern times. It was established in 1910 during the post-Samurai era. They authenticated the Katana and Wakizashi blades in September in the 6th year of Reiwa (2024). We are expecting to receive their certificates by the end of October. The purchaser will receive these original certificates as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you request.
Registration Number : Tochigi 42195-Gunma 10224
The Board of Education in Tokyo and Gunma prefecture issued a registration paper for the Katana and Wakizashi blade. It is called Jyu Token Rui Torokusho (銃刀剣類登録証). Bunkacho (The Agency for Cultural Affairs) acknowledges a Japanese sword with this paper as a work of art.
The sword needs to be traditionally hand-forged and made of Tamahagane carbon steel to be registered in the system. With this paper, its owner in Japan can legally own an authentic Japanese sword. Based on this registration number, we will apply for its export permit.
This paper will need to be returned to the board of education when the sword is being shipped abroad, but you can receive a copy of it. An English translation of this registration paper is available on request.
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【About us】
Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.
【Japanese Sword& Export Process】
The Japanese swords we deal with are hand-forged edged swords made in Japan. It was made from the traditional carbon steel called TAMAHAGANE(玉鋼). Samurai Museum is familiar with the proper legal procedure for an antique/ authentic Japanese sword to be exported from Japan. We have sent more than 700 Japanese swords for the past few years (～2024) to amazing owners who appreciate its historical value.
Each Japanese sword is registered under the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Board of Education in Japan. They issue a registration paper for each Japanese sword for its owner in Japan to legally possess it. The Japanese sword with its registration paper means it was traditionally hand-forged in Japan.
To legally export the sword from Japan to other countries, we will have to apply for its permit to the Agency for Cultural Affairs(Bunkacho) and return the original registration paper to the Board of Education. It normally takes around 2-4 weeks to receive this permit after submitting required documents. And we would like you to expect at least 1-1.5 months for your order to arrive at your given address after you ordered. For more detailed info, please click here.
It is allowed for residents in Japan to own authentic Japanese swords without a special license as long as they come with registration papers. Please feel free to contact us if you are a resident of Japan, whether temporarily or permanently. We will also assist you when you leave Japan and need to obtain the export permit.
【Payment Method】
We accept payment through Stripe (Credit card), PayPal, Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. Also, you don’t need to make an account on Stripe for the checkout. If you prefer other payment method, please contact us. After confirming your payment, we will apply for an export permit. You may either pay in JPY, USD, AUD, CAD,EUR CHF or GBP. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.
* If the amount is above 1 million JPY, Stripe or wire transfer will be the only options for payment.
【Shipping】
We have shipped authentic Japanese swords to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia. If you don’t live in these countries and like to order, please contact us first before making a purchase. We offer Free International Shipping as long as we can send antique Japanese swords by EMS.
We normally ship by EMS(Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. We will send you a tracking number for your order as soon as we hand it to the post office. We will put 100 % insurance on the shipping document without any extra charge. Based on the total amount, there might be a duty tax or other fee for you to pay, depending on the countries. We use package cushioning to protect the item and put it in a PVC pipe, which is one of the most secure packages because of its durability.
It will normally takes 5-14 days for the item to arrive at your given address after we dispatch it. Time of delivery is estimated as accurately as possible by the carrier but does not take into account any delays beyond our control such as by inclement weather, post office holiday seasons.
* If you live in Australia and like to purchase an authentic Japanese sword, please click here to know the detail.
* If you live in the UK and like to purchase an authentic Japanese sword, please contact us first and click here to know the detail.
【Review】
Here is one of the reviews we received from a customer who purchased an authentic Japanese sword from us. For more reviews, please click here.
“My experience overall with the whole process was wonderful. I had many questions about the history and process to purchase these treasures. All my questions were answered very timely and complete. The staff is very knowledgeable and very well versed if any questions do arise.”
【How to make sure the condition】
Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision. It is essential for us to know that you are happy with your choice of a sword. and we are prepared to use the best of our ability to serve you.
【How To Contact Us】
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【The Art of Nihonto (Japanese Sword)】
Samurai’s history is a profound, eloquent legacy of ancient Japanese warriors in which millions of people worldwide are being fascinated. If you like to find out the art of Nihonto, please click here.
【A Guide to Japanese Sword Maintenance】
After acquiring an genuine Japanese sword, it is also important to know how to take good care of it. Here is the special video for you. Mr. Paul Martin, Japanese sword expert, shows you how to give proper maintenance to your sword. By mastering how to clean the Japanese sword, its aesthetic beauty will last forever.
When you purchase a Japanese sword from us, you can get a Free Japanese sword maintenance kit. It comes with four tools(Choji Oil, Uchiko Whetstone Powder, Peg remover, Oil Applicator). By watching the video instruction above , you can enjoy learning how to maintain your Japanese sword while appreciating it. If you have any difficulty assembling the sword or cleaning the blade, you can feel free to contact us.
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