on the upper right corner of the photo.Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Omi no Kami Minamoto Hisamichi and Minamoto Rai Hisatsugu with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
【Description】
This blade was signed by Omi no Kami Minamoto Hisamichi (近江守源久道) and Chakushi Minamoto Rai Hisatsugu (嫡子源来久次), and it also bears a carved branch-chrysanthemum crest (枝菊紋) together with the inscription “Genroku 10 (1697), 2nd month, auspicious day” (元禄拾年二月吉日). The name Hisamichi continued for seven generations. Based on the signatures and the inscribed date, we believe this sword was a collaborative work between the first-generation Hisamichi and the second-generation Hisamichi (who originally signed Hisatsugu), the legitimate heir of the first-generation Hisamichi and the son of the second-generation Rai Kimichi (来金道). Both smiths were active from the early to mid-Edo period.
A jointly forged sword such as this is known as Gassaku (合作), a practice in which two swordsmiths work together on a single blade. Gassaku was most commonly done between a master and his apprentice, or a father and his son, and often reflects the transmission of skill, stylistic characteristics, and craftsmanship from one generation to the next. This blade is an excellent example of such collaborative workmanship.
The first-generation Hisamichi was born in 1625, the 2nd year of the Kan-Ei era, in Omi province (today’s Shiga prefecture). After moving to Kyoto, he joined the prestigious Mishina school and studied under the 2nd-generation Iganokami Kinmichi (伊賀守金道), one of the most renowned Yamashiro-based swordsmiths of the early Edo period.
In 1662, at the age of 37, the first-generation Hisamichi received the honorable court title Omi no Kami (近江守). Around this time, he was also granted the rare privilege to engrave the imperial chrysanthemum crest on his blades. Thereafter, he frequently carved either the chrysanthemum (菊紋) or branch-chrysanthemum crest (枝菊紋) on the tang—an exceptional honor that reflected the high esteem for his craftsmanship. He was regarded as one of the Gokaji, the five most prestigious Kyoto swordsmiths. His blades were admired not only for their refined beauty but also for their exceptional sharpness. He passed his mastery to his successor and died in 1711 at the age of 86.
The second-generation Hisamichi was born in 1663, the 3rd year of the Kanbun era, as the son of the second-generation Rai Kimichi, also of the Mishina lineage. He first signed Hisatsugu (久次). Later he was adopted by the first-generation Hisamichi and inherited the name Hisamichi. In 1702 (Genroku 15), he likewise received the title Omi no Kami. In 1722 (Kyoho 7), he was officially ordered to reside in Edo (modern Tokyo) to forge swords for the shogunate. He left numerous collaborative works with the first-generation master, and this blade is an excellent example of such joint craftsmanship.
The second-generation Hisamichi left many collaborative works with the first generation, and this blade—signed by both and dated Genroku 10 with the chrysanthemum crest—is an excellent example of such joint craftsmanship.
Genroku Era
The Genroku era (1688–1704) is known as one of the most peaceful and culturally prosperous periods of the Edo period. Under the stable rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, political unrest was minimal, and society enjoyed long-lasting peace. As a result, the economy flourished, cities expanded, and a vibrant urban culture blossomed. This age saw the height of ukiyo-e prints, kabuki theater, haiku poetry, and many forms of craftsmanship, including sword-making. Even though it was a time of peace with fewer actual battles, swordsmiths continued to refine their skill and aesthetics, producing blades that excelled in both functional precision and artistic beauty.
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 few thin black spots as well as a couple of Kitae Kizu on the blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)：72.1 cm (28.3 inches)
Curvature(Sori)：1.6 cm (0.55 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 Fuchi Kashira seems to be decorated with an auspicious combination: Matsu ni Tsuru (松に鶴), which is the combination of pine trees (松, Matsu) and cranes (鶴, Tsuru), and is a common and usual combination in Japan. This Fuchi Kashira depicts some cranes staying near the pine trees by the sea.
Pine trees often grow by the seashores. And as pine trees keep their green color throughout the years by withstanding severe heat and cold, people thought this plant pattern represents eternal youth. Furthermore, its color is called Tokiwa-Iro (常盤色, evergreen trees’ dark green color with brown), and pine trees have another name “Tokiwa-Gi (常盤木).” Tokiwa means immutability, so Tokiwa-Iro is a color that praises green with a wish for longevity and prosperity. It is said this color was appreciated, especially in the Edo period, as a good-luck color. The pine tree design gives us an elegant and noble impression; it might be another reason that people love this motif.
The crane has long been recognized as an auspicious bird. There is a proverb that says cranes and turtles live a long life. It says cranes have even one thousand years lifespan; therefore, cranes and turtles have been considered as the symbol of longevity since a long time ago. Also, as cranes make compatible couples, its pattern represents happy marriage. Due to its pure white feathers and dignified appearance, it was favorably used as a good omen design for various ornaments or furnishings such as Kimono (着物, traditional Japanese costume) or Obi (帯, belt for Kimono). Senbazuru (千羽鶴, thousand cranes) is one of Japan’s most popular Origami craft, which is made of Origami paper. A thousand cranes of paper are jointed, and it is mainly used for wishes of recovering.
Tsuka and Menuki：Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
The Menuki on this Tsuka feature motifs of sakura (桜, cherry blossoms) and kiku (菊, chrysanthemums).
Cherry blossoms symbolize the beauty and transience of life, while chrysanthemums—an imperial emblem—represent longevity, nobility, and refinement.
These two floral motifs were especially favored by Samurai, as together they express both elegance and dignity, making them fitting decorations for a high-quality sword mounting.
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.
We believe the theme of this Tsuba is Seashells (貝尽くし, Kai Dukushi). This pattern is a combination of different types of seashells. It is often designed with a seaside scene or wave pattern. You would feel the refreshing atmosphere of summer. Bivalves, especially clam, its shells cannot be combined with any other clam’s frame; therefore, its pattern represents happy marriage.
Seashell is called Kai (貝) in Japanese. Because of its pronunciation, the seashell has another meaning. There is a word Yarigai (やりがい, worthwhile). As a part of this word has the same accent as Kai (貝 is read Gai in some cases), Japanese people found this meaning. Also, since seashells are hard and combine only with their pair, people thought it represented a robust defense. Due to these meanings that inspire warriors who go to the battlefields, Samurais might have loved this motif.
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. 153062)
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 March 19th in the 20th year of Heisei (2008). 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 : Tokyo 199431
The Board of Education in Tokyo 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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Thank you for reading all the information on the page. If you have any difficulty choosing the right Japanese sword for you, we will be more than happy to help you find the one that speaks to you the most. Please feel free to contact us.
