Antique Japanese Sword Katana signed by Morimichi with NBTHK Hozon Certificate
【Description】
This blade was signed by Kaga no Kami Fujiwara Morimichi (加賀守藤原盛道). Morimichi was a Japanese swordsmith who lived in the early Edo period (17th century). He was originally from Mino Province (modern-day Gifu Prefecture) but later served the Owari Domain (modern-day Aichi Prefecture) as an Okakaekaji (a swordsmith exclusively employed by a feudal domain).
The first-generation Morimichi was born in 1558 during the late Muromachi period. In 1610, he was invited by Tokugawa Yoshinao, the ninth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, to work in Owari as an official swordsmith of the domain. The second-generation Morimichi, active during the Kanbun era (1661–1673), was known for making swords on behalf of the first generation, a practice called Daisaku, where an apprentice or successor forges a blade in the master’s name with permission. His craftsmanship was highly recognized, and he was honored with the prestigious title “Musashi no Kami”, granted by the Imperial Court.
The Owari Domain was one of the most powerful Tokugawa strongholds, with a strong martial culture and high demand for quality swords among samurai. Morimichi’s swords were likely made for high-ranking warriors. His works reflect a blend of Mino Tradition, known for durability and sharpness, and Edo Shinto Style, which emphasized refined aesthetics. His signature blade patterns include the straight temper line (Suguha) and wavy patterns (Gunome), both of which showcase his skill and the influence of his lineage.
Mino Province
Mino Province is one of the most famous and historical sword-forging sites. There were so many schools forging blades during the Samurai period. It especially 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, Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers.
Furthermore, 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 swordsmiths. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had a reputation for their practical design and sharpness.
The tradition of excellent sword forging skills had been passed throughout the Edo period, and Morimichi is a good example. And to look for better opportunities, many swordsmiths in Mino province moved to other parts of Japan, such as Owari province, located right next to Mino province. Those who moved to Owari from Mino are called Owari Seki. Morimichi is one of the most famous Owari Seki swordsmiths.
This blade is appraised as a Hozon Touken (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, well preserved and high quality with artistic value.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)： 71.2 cm ( 28.0 inches)
Curvature(Sori)：0.8 cm ( 0.31 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 fuchi-kashira of this sword features a consistent wave motif. Waves are a powerful symbol in Japanese art and tradition, representing the strength of nature, resilience, and the passage of time. One of the most famous depictions of waves is by Utagawa Hiroshige, whose woodblock prints captured the beauty and power of the sea. In samurai culture, waves also symbolize endurance and adaptability, reflecting the warrior’s ability to face challenges with strength and grace. This design not only enhances the sword’s aesthetic but also carries deep cultural and philosophical significance.
Tsuka and Menuki: Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
This Menuki appears to depict a plum blossom. Plum blossoms are a motif deeply rooted in Japanese culture and samurai tradition. As they bloom even in the harsh cold of winter, they are regarded as a symbol of perseverance. In the samurai world, plum blossoms represent resilience, longevity, and elegance, making them a favored design for sword fittings. Additionally, they are associated with prosperity and good fortune and have been widely used in family crests and decorative arts.
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 motif of this tsuba appears to be a shrimp. According to one theory, Japanese people were already consuming shrimp during the Heian period (794–1185). However, at that time, it was considered a luxury ingredient for commoners and was mainly enjoyed by the nobility and upper-class individuals. By the Muromachi period (1336–1573), shrimp had come to be used as an auspicious pattern and was also appreciated as a design for family crests.
In samurai society, the hard shell covering a shrimp was thought to symbolize the figure of a brave samurai clad in armor. Thus, it carried the meaning of wishing for the samurai’s fate to endure for a long time. Additionally, since shrimp have long feelers, they were associated with elderly people, and the kanji for “shrimp” (海老) includes the characters for “sea” (海) and “old” (老), further reinforcing its connection to longevity. Moreover, as shrimp actively jump while keeping their bodies bent, they came to be regarded as a symbol of perpetual youth and longevity.
Furthermore, because shrimp molt multiple times as they grow, they have also been seen as a symbol of success and advancement in life. Additionally, the bright vermilion color of boiled shrimp is considered auspicious, leading to their long-standing use as a traditional New Year’s decoration.
Saya: Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
Authentication Paper: NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the blade (No.3034966)
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 23rd in the 6th year of Reiwa (2024). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade 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 : Hiroshima 24976
The Board of Education in Hiroshima prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword. 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】
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.
