Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Masayoshi with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
【Description】
This blade was signed by Sakuyo Bakkashi Hosokawa Masayoshi (作陽幕下士細川正義) in the 4th year of the Kaei era (1851: the late Edo period). Sakuyo Bakkashi means the retainer of the Tsuyama clan of Mimasaka. Sakuyo is another name of Mimasaka no Kuni (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. Masayoshi is one of the most famous swordsmiths at the end of the Edo period.
Masayoshi was born in 1786 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 (today’s Okayama prefecture). 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, the retainer of the Tsuyama clan of Mimasaka, on his blades, but it is said that he mostly created blades residing in the Edo city for the Matsudaira family. He died in 1858 at the age of 73.
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.
Homare Kizu (誉疵)
We see what appears to be a Homare Kizu (誉疵), which tells us that this blade was used in a battle. Homare means honorable, and Homare Kizu is considered a good blade characteristic that tells us its history.
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 Kitae Kizu on the blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)：71.2 cm (28.0 inches)
Curvature(Sori)：2.0 cm (0.78 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.
The theme of this Fuchi Kashira is the Shishi Botan (獅子牡丹) or Karajishi Botan (唐獅子牡丹), which is a combination of Karajishi (唐獅子, lion) and Botan (牡丹, peony). While lions have been known as the “king of beasts”, peonies have also been called the “king of flowers.” Therefore, this combination motif has been favored since ancient times.
The Shishi (獅子) means a lion in Japanese, and the Karajishi is a lion brought from the continent to Japan in the Toh period (唐, Tang dynasty, 618-907). The Karajishi typically has curly hair for its head, neck, body, and tail, as seen on this work. In Buddhism, the Karajishi is regarded as a symbol of wisdom, and Monju Bosatu (文殊菩薩, Manjushri Bodhisattva) rides lions. According to a theory, the Karajishi is the origin of Komainu (狛犬, stone guardian dogs that exorcize evil spirits). It shows this animal motif has been familiar to Japanese people since ancient times.
There is a Houwa (法話, Buddhist monks tell the story of Buddhism in an easy-to-understand manner) that treats the Karajishi and this flower. The lion is called the king of the beasts. However, even this invincible animal has only one fear: a bug in the lion’s body. This pest grows in the lion’s hair and eventually breaks the skin and bites the flesh. Nevertheless, it dies if it is exposed to the night dew of a peony. Therefore, the lion rests under peony flowers at night, looking for a haven. The design of these sword mountings might have been quoted from this story.
Peony represents happiness, wealth, nobleness, and gorgeousness. This flower pattern has been treated as a kind of good-omen motif; people regarded it as a rich harvest sign. Peony is called “Botan” in Japanese. When we write this flower’s name in Japanese, its second letter means mountain hermit medicine that would give us eternal youth. Based on the meaning of this letter, the peony pattern symbolizes eternal youth and longevity.
Tsuka and Menuki：Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
It seems that Mogai (藻貝) is the motif of these Menuki. It is a design that combines an algae (藻, Mo) 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 in Japan for food, currency, materials, and so on. It is said that in the Heian period (794-1185), the aristocrats used clams to play a game called the 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. A pattern of several types of shells called Kaizukushi became a popular design. The popularity of shell patterns in the Edo period might have also been reflected in this work.
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.
Aoi (葵, hollyhock, Asarum caulescens)-shaped Tsuba; it got its name because the shape of its four sides resembles a hollyhock leaf. The Mimi (耳, edge) part is colored with golden paint, and this coloring adds decorativeness to this Tsuba. We also estimate that hollyhock leaves pattern is designed on this Tsuba. It is a plant pattern in which each stem branches and has characteristic heart-shaped leaves. Also, the grooves are decorated with the Nanako-Ji (魚子地) technique. This process makes a uniform minimal protrusions pattern by hitting the Nanako-Ji Tagane (魚子地鏨, a chisel for this technique) on a metal surface. This decorative technique is often seen on sword mountings.
In addition, a thin golden plate covers this Tsuba’s Mimi (耳, edge) part. This kind of covering is called the Fukurin (覆輪). It makes a Tsuba look gorgeous and has practicality, such as preventing the wear of the edge part. Also, it prevents the wear and tear of the Kimono if the edge damages it by touching the cloth. We imagine that this Tsuba had a more ornamental appearance at that time.
Saya：Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
This Saya has a family crest called the Aoi-Domoe / Mitsuba-Aoi-no Mon (葵巴/三つ葉葵の紋). This family crest consists of three hollyhock leaves arranged in a circle with their heads together. And the petiole is curved to the left side. This crest is known as the family crest of Tokugawa Shogunate family led by Tokugawa Ieyasu, a famous military commander of the Warring States period. This plant pattern has also been used for the crest of the Kamo shrine in Kyoto prefecture. As mentioned above, the famous Shogunate family, the Tokugawa family, had their family crest with three leaves of Aoi due to the relationship with the Kamo shrine. As its leaves have a habit of always facing the sun, and the word “Aoi” is taken as “Aogu (仰ぐ, looking up)” for the sun, people thought the Aoi pattern would bring good fortune.
Also, on the head of this Saya, a combination of Tessen (鉄線/鉄扇, clematis), or called Tessenka (鉄線花), and Karakusa (唐草, arabesque) pattern, which is called the Tessen Karakusa (鉄線唐草), is gorgeously depicted. Tessenka has six petals, and it was brought from China. This flower’s petals spread out like a windmill and have stiff vines. According to a theory, the Japanese name for this flower, Tessen, was derived from the fact that the hard vines remind us of iron wires (鉄線 means iron wire in the Japanese dictionary sense). This flower was appreciated as a flower to decorate tea parties, and people favored its graceful appearance. There are also various Tessen flower-designed family crests. It was also used in the design of bridal gowns and visiting clothes in hopes of connecting or bonding with others. And the Karakusa pattern is a design in which vine stems and leaves are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity.
In addtion, on the Kurikata (栗形), which is attached near the Koiguchi (鯉口, a rim of the scabbard) and its shape looks like a half-cut chestnut, the Yuri (百合, lily) is depicted. The origin of the word “Yuri” is said to be derived from “揺り(Yuri),” meaning the way the flowers sway in the wind, and the combination of the word “百(hundred)” and “合(put together)” is said to have come from the fact that the lily bulb seems to be made up of several scales. Since ancient times, lilies have been a well-known flower in Japan. In the Manyoshu (万葉集), the oldest extant collection of Japanese waka (poetry in classical Japanese) in the Nara period (the 8th century), there are many poems about lily flowers. Also, certain types of lilies were used for food. After the Muromachi period (1336-1573), lilies were used for ornamental purposes, in the tea ceremony, and as a flower arrangement. In the Edo period (1603-1867), ordinary people enjoyed them as potted plants in their gardens.
Authentication Paper：NBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 1022627)
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 May 31st in the 6th year of Reiwa (2024). 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 : Hyogo 104575
The Board of Education in Hyogo 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, 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.
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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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