Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Yokoyama Sukenaga with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
【Description】
This blade was signed by Yokoyama Kaga no Suke Fujiwara Ason Sukenaga (横山加賀介藤原朝臣祐永) in the 2nd year of the Kouka era (1845: The end of the Edo period).
Sukenaga was active during the late Edo period (1830-1851). He is one of the most famous swordsmiths in Bizen province at the end of the Edo period (Bakumatsu). Born as the second son of Yokoyama Sukehira, he belonged to the school run by his father in Bizen province (today’s Okayama prefecture). The headquarters of this school is Osafune School. While the first son of Sukehira was adopted by Shichi Heibei Sukesada, Sukenaga, as the second son, took over Sukehira’s school and became the head. In the 4th year of the Tenpo era (1837), he received an honorable official title, Kaga no Suke, from the imperial court for his excellent craftsmanship. He called himself the 56th-gen of Tomonari, a renowned swordsmith in the mid-late Heian period in Bizen province. Sukenaga 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 allowed him to use this emblem, which was quite honorable for any swordsmith. He died at the age of 57 in the 4th year of the Ka-Ei era (1851). He also inscribed Ichi (一: One in English) on the tang, which is the symbol of Bizen Ichimonji school. There were only selected skilled swordsmiths who were allowed to inscribe this letter in Bizen province back in the day.
About Sukesada school
Sukenaga’s ancestors dated back to Sukesada school, one of the most famous schools, and flourished for generations among Osafune schools (The head branch). There were various styles forged by the generations of Sukesada during the Muromachi-Edo period. There were about 60 swordsmiths who used Sukesada as his maker’s name in Samurai history.
The swordsmiths in Bizen produced many swords during the Muromachi period, as it was in the middle of the Sengoku period(Warring State period). The demand for weapons increased among strong feudal lords. However, The sword-forging tradition of Bizen province almost disappeared because of the disastrous flood of the Yoshii River (1591), which was close to Osafune school. Even after everything was destroyed, there were few remaining swordsmiths. One of them was a group of swordsmiths who signed Sukesada. The main member of the school was Yokoyama Fujishiro Sukesada, the fourth head of Sukesada School. And one of his children was Shichibei no Jyo Sukesada (七兵衛尉祐定). They became one of the pioneers that revitalized the sword-forging business in Bizen province. Sukenaga was a descendant of this Sukesada.
The history of Osafune School
It is said that Osafune school was founded by Mitsutada (光忠), who was active during the mid-Kamakura period. Bizen Osafune school was the biggest one of all other schools in Bizen province, and they received many orders from feudal lords or renowned Samurai. They were called Osafunemono and beloved by Samurai warriors.
Among the swordsmiths who belonged to this school, Nagamitsu, Sanenaga, and Kagemitsu are known as Osafune Sansaku, the three renowned Osafune swordsmiths. There are also four other prominent swordsmiths who were from Bizen Osafune school. They are called Osafune Shiten-no, the four masters of Osafune school. Their names are Nagamitsu, Kanemitsu, Nagayoshi, and Motoshige.
BIZEN is located near the Chugoku Mountains, where iron sands, one of the essential materials for making Japanese swords, were abundant. Furthermore, BIZEN swordsmiths had close access to Yoshi River, where they could find water and charcoal. This geological location contributed to the swordsmiths forging high-quality refined blades. We presume BIZEN was quite active in sword-forging from ancient times. It is said that BIZEN DEN was created by groups of swordsmiths there during the late Heian era (Late 12th century ). These ancient swordsmiths in Bizen province are called Ko-Bizen (Old Bizen) swordsmiths. By inheriting the sword forging techniques from Ko-Bizen swordsmiths, the Bizen Osafune school flourished from the mid-Kamakura period.
Tachi and Tachi Koshirae
Based on the authentication paper, this blade was made as a Tachi (太刀). Its cutting edge is 84.4 cm with 3 cm curvature. And, it is stored in Tachi(太刀) Koshirae. Tachi was mainly used by an armored Samurai with one hand on horseback from the Heian period (794-1185 A.D.) until the early Muromachi period. TACHI was suspended loosely on the left waist with its edge facing the ground so that you could draw it faster to cut down soldiers on the ground. Because of its gorgeous looking, having a Tachi-style sword mounting became a social status among Samurai.
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.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)：66.4 cm (26.1 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 design of this fuchi-kashira features a karakusa (唐草, arabesque) motif. Karakusa, which literally means “Tang grass,” is a traditional ornamental pattern made up of gracefully scrolling vines and leaves. Though its roots can be traced back to ancient Chinese art, the motif was embraced and uniquely developed within Japanese aesthetics over centuries.
In Japanese culture, the karakusa pattern symbolizes longevity, vitality, and continuous growth. The endlessly intertwining vines suggest an unbroken lineage and enduring life force, making it a popular motif in samurai sword fittings and traditional crafts.
The Kabutogane (冑金/兜金) is a metal fitting that is attached to the end of a handle. And a Sarute/Sarude (猿手) is attached to this Kabutogane. The user of a sword passed the Udenukio (腕貫緒, a cord wrapped around the wrist to prevent a sword from falling out of the hand, mainly used when riding a horse) through this ring. In addition, the Fuchi Kanamono (縁金物) is also a metal fitting attached to the handle, but on the opposite side of Kabutogane.
Other metal fittings of this Koshirae have the same design such as Kuchi Kanamono (口金物, a metal fitting that is attached to the tip of the scabbard close to Tsuba), Seme Kanamono (責金物, a ring-shaped metal fitting placed in the middle of the scabbard to prevent the sheath from cracking), Ashi Kanamono (足金物, metal fittings attached to the positions where Sageo cord is wrapped), and Ishiduki Kanamono (石突金物, a metal fitting that is attached to the end of the scabbard).
Tsuka and Menuki：Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
The motif of this menuki is a pheasant (雉子, kiji).
In Japan, the pheasant is a bird deeply rooted in folklore, literature, and cultural symbolism. It is known for its elegant appearance, with the male sporting vivid green and red feathers and a long, graceful tail.
The pheasant is the national bird of Japan and often appears in classical paintings, poetry, and even mythology. In the ancient Japanese chronicle Nihon Shoki, the pheasant is depicted as a divine messenger. It is also associated with alertness, beauty, and maternal devotion—especially in traditional beliefs where the female pheasant is admired for her dedication to protecting her nest and chicks.
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.
This tsuba features a design known as Aoi Mokko-gata(葵木瓜型), which combines the shape of a traditional mokko (木瓜, a rounded, quatrefoil or melon-seed form) with motifs of hollyhock leaves arranged in four directions. This shape is both decorative and symbolic. The hollyhock (Aoi) was the emblem of the powerful Tokugawa clan, and it represents prosperity, protection, and loyalty.
Saya： Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
This saya is adorned with the image of a Chinese phoenix(鳳凰, Houou). The Houou is rendered using makie(蒔絵), a traditional Japanese lacquerware technique in which powdered gold or silver is sprinkled onto wet lacquer to create intricate and elegant designs.
In East Asian mythology, the Houou—or Fenghuang in Chinese tradition—is a mythical bird that symbolizes peace, virtue, and the arrival of a prosperous reign. It is often associated with the Empress or feminine grace and is considered an auspicious creature that appears only in times of great harmony.
Authentication Paper：NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate for the blade (No.1024181)
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 21th 2025. They appraised it as Tokubetsu Hozon Touken, the blade especially worth preserving for Japanese society. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you request.
Authentication Paper：NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the Koshirae (No. 4015608)
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 and its Koshirae on May 28th in the 1st year of Reiwa (2019). They appraised it as Hozon Tosogu, the blade/ sword mounting 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 : Aichi 22097
The Board of Education in Aichi 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, 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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