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Updated: 29 Mar 2024

SOLD

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Tachibana Yoshitsugu
NBTHK JUYO TOKEN Certificate

$33,060.04

DELIVERY TIME : Approx. 1-1.5 months
*We ship from Tokyo, Japan. There might be delay in shipment depending on countries.

SHIPPING TO :
USA, UK, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany , Hong Kong, France, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

INCLUDED : NBTHK JUYO TOKEN Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Koshirae Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

Category Katana (SHINTO)
Age Estimated the mid Edo period (Mid-Late 17th century)
Swordsmith Higo no Kami Hojyoji Tachibana Yoshitsugu
(肥後守法城寺橘吉次)
Certificate NBTHK JUYO TOKEN Certificate
Location Edo (Tokyo) or Satsuma (Kagoshima prefecture)
Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 72.4 cm (28.3 inches)
Curvature: 1.3 cm( 0.51 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 Higo no Kami Hojyoji Tachibana Yoshitsugu with NBTHK  JUYO TOKEN Certificate

【Description】

 This blade was signed by Higo no Kami Hojyoji Tachibana Yoshitsugu (肥後守法城寺橘吉次), who was active during the mid-Edo period. He belonged to Edo Hojyoji school (江戸法城寺派), one of the most prestigious schools in Edo city during the early-mid Edo period.
The school was initially founded by Hojyoji Kunimitsu, a renowned swordsmith in Tajima no Kuni (Today’s Hyogo prefecture) during the late Nanbokucho-Muromachi period.

 Hojyoji Masahiro (法城寺正弘) is the one who moved to Edo city and established the Edo Hojyoji school during the early Edo period. He is said to have been a descendant of Kunimitsu. The blades forged by members of Edo Hojyoji swordsmiths closely resemble Kotetsu, one of the most famous swordsmiths.

 Higo no Kami Hojyoji Tachibana Yoshitsugu was one of the top-tier swordsmiths in this school. He was originally from Hitachi city in Ibaraki prefecture, and his birth name was Nemoto Kyoheibei.

 During the Genroku-era (1688-1704), he moved to Edo city to become an apprentice of Hojyoji Kunimasa (法城寺國正). At one point in the Kanbun era (1661-1673), he received an honorable official title of Higo no Kami from the emperor for his excellent craftsmanship. After the event, he started to sign Hojyoji Tachibana Yoshitsugu.

 He was famous for forging extremely sharp blades. Because of his popularity in Edo city, he was invited by Shimazu clan in the 5th year of the Genroku era (1692). And he moved to Satsuma domain (Today’s Kagoshima prefecture). By bringing his son Yoshikuni, he served Shimazu clan as an Okakaekaji, a swordsmith exclusively forging blades for a specific clan or domain. This fact indicates that he was a highly respected swordsmith in Satsuma domain.

 A record shows that Yoshitsugu and his son forged the Odachi blade together, and it was dedicated to Kirishima Shrine, which had been beloved by Shimazu clan for centuries. It is said that he left a strong influence on swordsmiths in Satsuma domain. He eventually came back to Edo city at the end of his career.

 

 This blade is appraised as a JUYO TOKEN(重要刀剣) 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, exceptionally well preserved and of high quality with artistic value. JUYO is one rank higher than Tokubetsu Hozon. To be eligible for a Juyo Token, it needs to be appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token first. It is extremely rare for an antique Japanese sword to be appraised as JUYO TOKEN, and it is highly desirable among Japanese sword collectors.

 

【 Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) 72.4 cm (28.3 inches)
Curvature(Sori)1.3 cm( 0.51 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. According to the certificate, this blade was heavily shortened in the past (Osuriage: 大磨り上げ).

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

 This Fuchi Kashira is decorated with silvery metal. While it looks simple from a distance, you would see its detailed pattern when you look at it closer. Its surface has partially worn away, and the designs have faded due to aging. We would say it is one of the traces of its long history. We hope you will enjoy it as an antique texture.

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

 You could find golden Menukis from the gaps of the Tsukamaki thread. A bird is the motif of each Menuki. Due to their appearances, we estimate that cranes are designed here. This bird pattern has been appreciated as an auspicious motif for a long time because of its elegant look. Since cranes’ voices resound well, it was thought that their voices could reach the gods in the heavens. Therefore, an idea believes that cranes connect heaven and earth.

 There is a proverb that says that cranes and turtles live long life. It says cranes have even one thousand years lifespan; therefore, cranes and turtles have been considered the symbol of longevity. Also, as cranes make compatible couples, their pattern represents happy marriage. The former owner of this sword might have chosen this Menuki design based on these good luck meanings.
   
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. 

 This Tsuba seems to be initially decorated with golden paints (probably brass inlay). Judging from the designs we could see today, it is likely that the Matsuba (松葉, pine needle) pattern was one of the motifs. Even if the leaves fall, the root of the two leaves are firmly connected and will not separate: therefore, this plant motif has been treated as a lucky charm. In the Edo period, Shoguns and Daimyos set their own patterns and called them the Sadame Mon (定め紋). Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (徳川 綱吉, 1680-1709), the 5th Shogun of the Edo Shogunate, used the Matsuba design for his Sadame Mon.

 The pine tree itself is also one of the classical designs for Japanese people. Since pine trees keep their green color throughout the years by withstanding severe heat and cold, this plant pattern represents eternal youth. Furthermore, its color is called the 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. This color was appreciated as a good-luck color. It is understandable that the Matsuba pattern was incorporated into designs of sword mountings because of its auspicious meanings.


Saya Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.  

Authentication PaperNBTHK JUYO TOKEN Certificate for the blade (No. 14667)

  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 Dec 13rd in the 2nd year of Reiwa (2020). They appraised it as JUYO TOKEN, the blade exceptionally 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 12112
  The Board of Education in Tokyo 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 500 Japanese swords for the past three years (~2023) 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, UK, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, France, Hong Kong and 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.

*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.

【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.

 

MORE ANTIQUE JAPANESE SWORD FOR SALE

SWORDS WITHOUT CERTIFICATES FOR SALE

READ KATANA ARCHIVE ARTICLE(Episode1-8)

LEARN JAPANESE SWORD TERMINOLOGY

 

 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.

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