Antique Japanese Sword Tachi Signed by Bizen Osafune Sukesada with NBTHK Hozon Certificate
【Description】
This blade has a signature of Bizen Osafune Sukesa on the front and the date(The third year of the Eisho period in August on the back. Those who forged swords in the Bizen province at the end of the Muromachi Period(1492-1569 A.D) are called Matsu Bizen(Matsu mean the end).
Sukesada school was one of the most famous schools and it flourished for generations among Osafune schools(The head branch). There were various styles forged by the generations of Sukesada during this period. There were about 60 swordsmiths who used Sukesada as his maker’s name in the Samura history. One of the most famous ones is Osozaemon Jo Sukesada whose father is Hikobeinojou Sukesada. Based on the signature,we think this blade was forged by Hikobeinojou Sukesada.
The swordsmiths in Bizen produced many swords during the Muromachi period as it was in the middle of the Sengoku period(Warring state period), and the demand for swords increased among strong feudal lords. The length of this blade is efficient and must have been easy for its owner to handle back then. The blade also comes with a beautiful set of Tachi style Koshirae. It would be nice to have a piece that was forged in the warring state period, when there was so much rivalry between warlords.
This sword has a Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword).This sword comes with beautiful Tachi style sword mounting.(horseback style)
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa): 63.2 cm(24.9 inches)
Curvature(Sori): 1.8 cm(0.7 inches)
Hamon:The blade pattern created by the tempering process. It has Gunome-choji(互の目丁子) Hamon.
Jimon& Jihada:Visible surface pattern on the steel. It has Mokumehada(木目肌)Pattern and you can find some Jinie(地沸え).
Nakago:Bizen Osafune Sukesada(front)/ The third year of Eisho period(1506) in August (Back)
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】
Fuchi-Kashira:A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.
Plant pattern is inlaid with gold on the side of Fuchi and Kabutogane of Kashira. An animal which is inlaid with gold looks similar to a kind of bird can be found at the Sarude of this Kashira.
Tsuka and Menuki:Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration .
This type of Tsukamaki is called Hiramaki. Many of Itomaki Tachi Koshirae are used the same way. Its Menuki might be the katakama Yari(one head spear). Katakama Yari was a famous weapon used by a feudal lord, Kato Kiyomasa.
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 type of Tsuba shape is called Aoi-Gata-Tsuba. It’s a combination of four leaves of Aoi. Aoi means hollyhock in Japanese. It’s often found for Tachi Tsuba. Each edge makes Inome pattern, which looks like a heart mark. Inome pattern has been used since ancient times in Japan especially as a part of decoration for shrine or temple. As its name implies, eyes of boar are the origin of this pattern. It’s believed that Inome pattern works as an amulet so that it protects us from evil spirits or fire. Also, it’s said that it brings good-luck. Karakusa-Monyou(design of ivy) is engraved on the whole surface. Ivy has vitality and it thrives strongly. So, arabesque design represents prosperity and longevity.
Saya:Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
This Saya is decorated with Nashiji-Nuri technique. It’s a kind of lacquer artwork for craft-work products, and it uses gold powder or silver powder. As the aggregate of these powders seems to be a cross section of pear’s pulp, this technique was named like this. Same as Fuchi-Kashira, plants are inlaid with gold. It might be the family crest of this Samurai. Sageo(cord which is coild around Saya) has Kikkou-Gumi pattern. Kikkou means a turtle’s shell. It’s said that turtles live long so that this design represents longevity.
Authentication Paper:NBTHK 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 August 14th in the 26th year of Heisei(2014). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society. The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well.
Registration Number : Tokyo 284807
The Board of Education in Tokyo 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 possess an authentic Japanese sword in Japan.
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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.