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Updated: 29 Mar 2024

SOLD

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Kinmichi
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate

$9,248.98

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*There might be delay in shipment depending on countries

SHIPPING TO : USA, Australia, UK, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Hong Kong
*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( SHINTO:新刀)
Age Early Edo Period(Mid-Late 17 century)
Swordsmith  Izumi no Kami Rai Kinmichi(Third-gen: 和泉守来金道)
Certificate NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Location Kyoto area
Blade Size Length: 70.6 cm( 27.8  inches), Curvature: 1.81 cm(  0.71  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.

SOLD

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Kinmichi with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 

【Description】

This blade was forged by third-gen Izumi no Kami Rai Kinmichi(和泉守来金道) based on the signature. The swordsmith’s name Kinmichi lasted fifth generations during the early-mid Edo period. Izumi no Kami is the title given to this swordsmith in 1646.

The first-gen Kinmichi was called Izumi no Kami Kinmichi(和泉守金道) or Fujiwara Rai Kinmichi(藤原来金道), the second son of Seki Kanemichi(関兼道).
Seki Kanemichi was originally from Mino province, exclusively forging blades for Shingen Takeda, a famous feudal lord. Later on, he moved to Kyoto in 1593 by bringing his four sons, Iga no Kami Kinmichi(伊賀守金道)、Izumi no Kami Rai Kinmichi(和泉守来金道), Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi(丹波守吉道) and Echu no kami Masatoshi(越中守正俊). Seki Kanemichi established Mishina school in Kyoto, one of the most prestigious schools in the early Edo period.

The first-gen Izumi no Kami Rai Kinmichi was known as Kyoto Gokaji(京都五鍛冶), five prestigious swordsmiths living in Kyoto in the early Edo period. He was allowed to inscribe a chrysanthemum emblem, which is the symbol of the Japanese emperor. His sword-forging technique was so great that the emperor licensed him to use this emblem, which was quite honorable for any swordsmiths. Kinmichi called himself RAI(来) Kinmichi because he revitalized a traditional RAI-style in the Edo period.
RAI(来) is one of the oldest schools, initially founded in Kyoto and prospered during the Kamakura period.

Third-gen Kinmichi was also allowed to sign his signature with chrysanthemum emblem, forging blades in Kyoto in the early Edo period(Mid-Late 17 century). He often forged swords in collaboration with his father, the second-gen Kinmichi. There are a few remaining works created by both swordsmiths. The third-gen Kinmichi was the older brother of the second-gen Omi no Kami Hisamichi, another famous swordsmith in the early Edo period. The third-gen Kinmichi also received the title of Daihoshi Hokyo(大法師法橋) in 1672 and died in 1690. Daihoshi Hokkyo was one of the highest titles given to Buddhist monks back then.

This blade is appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, especially worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). The excellent condition of this blade deserves the level of certificate. It accompanies by gorgeous sword mountings.

【 Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)  70.6 cm( 27.8  inches)
Curvature(Sori)1.81 cm(  0.71  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


NakagoNakago 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-KashiraA pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.

Tsuka and MenukiTsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.

 Dragons are the motif of this Menuki. They have elongated bodies colored with gold. Initially, the dragon is an imaginary creature, and it is a beast that symbolizes auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, belly is Mizuchi (蛟, mythical animal in Japan which looks like a snake and have a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers, and ears are cows. It was thought that the dragon would reign at the top of all animals because of its odd-looking appearance. People appreciate this beast motif as the all-purpose auspicious pattern.

Tsuba and HabakiTsuba 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. 

 It is an antique Tsuba made from iron, and a kind of vegetable is designed. It might be Myoga (茗荷, myoga ginger) or Takenoko (筍, bamboo shoot) that is this Tsuba’s motif. Myoga is known as Japanese ginger and was brought to Japan with Shoga (生姜, ginger). According to a theory, Shoga used to be called “Senoka,” and Myoga used to be called “Menoka” in ancient times. It is said that these pronunciations were changed with time. Myoga has the same pronunciation as another word, “Myoga,” which means divine protection; therefore, this motif has been treated as a good-luck design. It is seen at shrines and temples in various parts of Japan. Also, it is quite a popular motif for family crests.

Saya Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.  

KougaiKougai is the equipment for Samurai to arrange or fix his hair style.

 Two types of family crests are designed for this Kougai and Kozuka. The crest that combines four squares is called Hira-Yotsume Mon (平四ツ目紋), and another one is arranged between these square-shaped family crests. Hira-Yotsume Mon is a type of Meyui Mon (目結紋), and the pattern that is made from Kanoko-Zome (鹿の子染) is the origin of this design. Several Samurai families used Meyui Mon. 

KozukaKozuka is a small knife stored in Koduka Hitsu(groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword).

Authentication PaperNBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade

 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 Feb 19 th in the second 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 : Ishikawa 1978
  The Board of Education in Ishikawa prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword . In order to obtain this paper, the sword needs to be traditionally hand forged. With this paper, its owner can legally own an authentic Japanese sword in Japan. This paper will need to be returned to the board of education when the sword being shipped abroad but you can receive a copy of it. 

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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 300 Japanese swords 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. 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, EUR or GBP. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.

【Shipping】
  We have shipped authentic Japanese swords to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, UK, Germany , France and Hong Kong. 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 either EMS or FedEx(USA, Australia, Canada).

  We normally ship by EMS(Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. When we receive an order from the USA, Australia or Canada we will use FedEx instead as EMS temporarily stops shipping from Japan to those countries due to COVID-19.

  We will send you a tracking number for your order as soon as we hand it to the post office/FedEx. 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.

  *Please keep in mind that due to the spread of COVID-19, there might be delays in shipping. If you like to know the detail about shipping, please feel free to ask us.

【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.

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. When you purchase a Japanese sword from us, you can get a Free sword maintenance kit, which appears in this video.

MORE ANTIQUE JAPANESE SWORD FOR SALE

READ KATANA ARCHIVE ARTICLE(Episode1-8)

LEARN JAPANESE SWORD TERMINOLOGY

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