Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Dotanuki with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
【Description】
This blade was signed by Kyushu Higo Koku Dotanuki (九州肥後国同田貫). Dotanuki school is the descendant of Enju school at the end of the Muromachi period, and continued until the late Edo period. This blade is considered to have been forged around the Azuchi Momoyama period (the late 16th – early 17th century).
The Dotanuki school was founded by Masakuni (正国), who was active during the Tensho era (1573–1592) in Higo province—part of Kyushu, in what is now Kumamoto Prefecture. He served under Kato Kiyomasa (加藤清正), the powerful feudal lord who ruled Higo at the time.
It is said that Masakuni was a descendant of the Enjyu school that had forged blades for the Kikuchi family and flourished during the late Kamakura period-Nanbokucho period (Late 13th-Early 14th century). Kikuchi clan ruled the Higo domain for a long time, but the clan left the place at the end of the Muromachi period (late 15th-early 16th century). The influence of Enjyu school diminished. Eventually, the Fujiwara Kunikatsu and Nobuyoshi brothers, who belonged to a branch of the Enjyu school, revitalized the school by moving to a place called Dotanuki and forged blades. Their craftsmanship was acknowledged by Kato Kiyomasa, one of the most powerful feudal lords during the Warring State period. They received one letter from their lord Kiyomasa (Kiyo and Masa). Nobuyoshi changed his name to Masakuni (正国), and his older brother changed his name to Kiyokuni (清国). Masakuni founded the Dotakuni school under the auspice of the Kato clan.
It is said that those who saw the swords made by Dotanuki were astonished by the tremendous cutting ability at that time, and the swords were very popular. The swords made by Dotanuki have been considered as the strongest swords for actual battle.
During the active period of the ninth-gen Masakatsu, tenth- gen Munehiro, and the eleventh-gen Muneharu, the Dotanuki school is said to have flourished again as Shin Shin-To Dotanuki: Shin Shin To means the Japanese swords made after the late Edo period.
It is appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token (特別保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value.
*Please keep in mind that there are a couple of Kitae Kizu on this blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)：71.5 cm (28.1 inches)
Curvature(Sori)：1.5 cm (0.59 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
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 (Scabbard), Tsuka (Handle), Tsuba (Handguard).
Fuchi-Kashira：A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.
This fuchigashira set features a bell cricket (鈴虫, suzumushi) on the kashira (pommel cap), and bamboo leaves on the fuchi (collar), matching the motif of the tsuba.
In Japanese culture, the bell cricket is cherished as a symbol of autumn. Its clear, gentle chirping has long been appreciated for its poetic and emotional resonance, evoking a quiet sense of transience and beauty. Unlike in many Western cultures where insect sounds are considered noise, Japanese aesthetics regard insect sounds as “voices”—part of nature’s music and a refined expression of seasonal change. Bell crickets often appear in poetry, tea ceremony, and other traditional arts as emblems of elegance and introspection.
Tsuka and Menuki：Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
This menuki features a daikon radish and a mouse, a humorous and auspicious combination in Japanese culture.
In traditional Japanese folklore and iconography, mice are closely associated with Daikokuten(大黒天), one of the Seven Lucky Gods (七福神, Shichifukujin) and the deity of wealth, agriculture, and prosperity. Daikokuten is often depicted with mice nearby, as they are believed to symbolize abundance (since mice appear where there is plenty of food).
The daikon radish also carries positive connotations—its white color and smooth, rounded shape are linked to purity, good health, and fertility. When paired with a mouse, this design creates a clever visual pun or “mitate” (playful metaphor) evoking Daikokuten’s blessings.
This type of motif, combining humor and auspicious symbolism, reflects the refined sense of wabi and wit often found in Edo-period sword fittings. It is both charming and meaningful—offering protection, luck, and a touch of playful spirit.
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.
This tsuba features a motif of bamboo leaves, a symbol rich in cultural meaning in Japan.
Bamboo is admired for its strength, flexibility, and evergreen nature. It is often associated with resilience, purity, and longevity, making it a popular motif in Japanese art and sword fittings. The delicate depiction of bamboo leaves on this tsuba reflects not only aesthetic elegance but also a wish for the wearer’s enduring strength and virtue.
Saya：Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
This Saya is covered with black lacquer. Due to its high waterproof effect, lacquer has been used since ancient times in Asia. The blade of a Japanese sword is made of iron, and moisture is the greatest enemy of iron. For the purpose of carrying the blade without degrading it, people devised a method of coating the scabbard with lacquer. To prevent not only moisture but also rain and snow from penetrating the inside of the scabbard, it was necessary to apply multiple layers of lacquer. The Nushi (塗師, lacquerers) was born precisely because advanced techniques were required to handle the complicated processes.
Authentication Paper：NBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 1014126)
NBTHK, also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the blade on August 28th in the 2nd year of Reiwa (2020). They appraised it as Tokubetsu Hozon Touken, the blade especially worth preserving for Japanese society. The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you request.
Registration Number : Aichi 53356
The Board of Education in Nagano prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword. It is called Jyu Hou Token Rui Tourokusho (銃砲刀剣類登録証). 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 1000 Japanese swords for the past few years (～2025) 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, UK, 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】
Please contact us through email, Facebook Messenger or Live Chat if you have any questions. You can find each icon on the right side of the website. Please click one of them to reach us. We will reply to you within 1-2 business days.
【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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