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Updated: 19 Feb 2025

SOLD

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Kaneshige Tameshigiri Mei Yamano Kaemon Nagahisa
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate

$23,038.42

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, Germany , Hong Kong, France, Australia
*Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

INCLUDED: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case (Plain Wooden Case), Koshirae Mounting, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

Category Wakizashi (SHINTO)
Age Early Edo Period (1661-1681)
Swordsmith Kazusa no Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige (上総守藤原兼重)
Certificate NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Location Musashi province  (today’s Tokyo prefecture)
Blade Size Cutting Edge Length: 54.8  cm (21.6 inches)
Curvature:  0.90 cm (0.35 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 Wakizashi Signed by Kaneshige with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate

【Description】

Summary

 This blade was signed by Kazusa no Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige (上総守藤原兼重) during the early Edo period (before 1662) in Musashi province (today’s Tokyo). The back of the tang says Tameshigiri (test cutting) was conducted, which we will explain in detail later in the description. 

 He was especially active during the Kanbun-Enpo era (1661-1681) in Musashi province (Today’s Tokyo area).  There were also records of him forging blades in Sendai (Today’s Miyagi prefecture) and Ise (Today’s Mie prefecture). He was one of the most reputable swordsmiths in Edo during the early Edo period.  He is also known as the second-gen Kaneshige because he was an apprentice for Izumi no Kami Kaneshige (和泉守兼重), a prestigious sword maker.  And he eventually took over his master’s school in his career. It is said that the transition period from the first-gen to the second-gen is around the Keian era (1648-1652). The maker’s name, Kaneshige, lasted three generations.

 One of Izumi no Kami Kaneshige’s apprentices was Kotetsu (虎徹), also known as Nakasone Okisato. Okisato is another prominent swordsmith in the early Edo period. Kazusa no Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige and Kotetsu both learned excellent craftsmanship from their master, Izumi no Kami Kaneshige, during the same period. It is said that a famous swordsman, Musashi Miyamoto, once owned a sword forged by Kazusa no Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige. This story proves how acknowledged this swordsmith was during that time. 

First-gen Kaneshige and the second-gen Kaneshige

 First-gen Kaneshige (Izumi no Kami Kaneshige, 和泉守兼重) was active during the early Edo period (1624-1652). He is said to have been originally from the Echizen province, which was ruled by the Matsudaira clan, a direct retainer of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

 In the first year of the Kan-Ei era (1624), he moved from Echizen to Edo. In the third year of the Kan-Ei era (1626), he received the honorable official title of Izumi Daijo from the imperial court for his excellent craftsmanship. He was promoted to Izumi no Kami in his late career.

 Kaneshige started to serve Todo Takatora, one of the most famous feudal lords during the warring state and early Edo periods. Takatora was the head of the Ise domain (Today’s Mie prefecture). It is said that Kaneshige was able to work for Takatora because Musashi Miyamoto and Todo Takatora knew each other and Musashi introduced the first-gen Kaneshige to Todo Takatora. The second-gen Kaneshige, Kazusa no Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige, also served the Todo Takatora family.

 The second-gen Kaneshige received the honorable official title of Kazusa no Kami from the imperial court for his excellent craftsmanship, and he requested to change his official title to Kazusa no Suke. Here is an interesting fact about this change. Todo Takatora, who hired him as a swordsmith, also received the Kazusa no Kami title after the second-gen Kanshige had received it. The second-gen Kaneshige thought it was not right to use the same official title as his lord and decided to change it. This story tells us how loyal and considerate the second-gen Kaneshige was to his lord.  

 Both generations of Kaneshige are also known for forging very sharp swords, which made them and his work classified as Yoki Wazamono Toko( 良業物刀工). Wazamono is a classification of Japanese swords and swordsmiths used in Japan to identify historic blades of exceptional quality in the book written by Kaiho Kenjaku ( 懐宝剣尺 ) in 1797.

 

Tameshigiri (test cutting) signature

 According to the certificate and the inscription on the Nakago, this blade was used for test cutting by Yamano Kaemon Nagahisa(山野加右衛門永久) on December 2, 1662, which coincides with the active period of Kazusa no Kami Kaneshige. This inscription is known as a Saidan-mei (截断銘, test cutting signature), and it is inlaid with gold (Kinzou Gan). The inscription “Mitsu-dō-saidan (参ツ胴截断)” reveals that this blade was capable of cutting through three bodies at the same time. Considering the fact that this blade is a only Wakizashi blade, its sharpness must have been extremely superior and Nagahisa’s swordsmanship is beyond the imaginations. 

 Test cutting was typically performed using the bodies of executed prisoners. However, using human bodies for test cutting was only permitted for the Otameshi Goyo (御様御用),  a special group tasked with testing the sharpness of swords for the Shōgun and high-class Samurai. These Samurai would hire these specialists to verify the functionality of their swords. However, the fees for such services were very high. It is said that the fee for Yamanoka Emon Kaemon Nagahisa’s test cutting was 10 ryō (10両, equivalent to approximately 1.5 million yen or 10,000 US dollars today).

 Given that the sword was tested by Yamano Kaemon Nagahisa and had a gold-inlaid Saidan-mei, the samurai who owned it was likely of a very high status.

 

 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 couple of Kitae Kizu on this blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.

 

【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa): 54.8  cm (21.6 inches)
Curvature (Sori): 0.90 cm (0.35 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.

KoshiraeKoshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya (Scabbard), Tsuka (Handle), Tsuba (Handguard).

 The theme of the Koshirae is the dragon (龍, Ryu). Initially, the dragon is an imaginary creature found in ancient Chinese traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is regarded as a symbolic beast of auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, belly is Mizuchi (蛟, mythical animal in Japan which looks like a snake and have a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers, and ears are cows. It was thought that the dragon would reign at the top of all animals because of its odd-looking appearance.

 In ancient China, the dragon pattern was used for emperors’ clothing so that people strictly defined its shape or even the number of nails. On the other hand, the dragon pattern does not have detailed rules to represent classes in Japan. However, still, it maintains its meaning as the all-purpose auspicious pattern.

 Also, in Japan, there is a belief that worships dragon as a water god and is called Ryujin Shinkou (竜神信仰). Since rice cultivation flourished in this country, water is always an essential resource. Therefore, the dragon motif has been familiar to Japanese people since a long time ago. 

 

Fuchi-Kashira: A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.

The theme of the Fuchi-Kashira is dragons.

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

 The theme of the Menuki is dragons.

   
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 theme of the Tsuba is the Asarum caulescens (葵, Aoi) and the Kikkō (亀甲, turtle shell pattern). Aoi is a plant in which each stem branches and has characteristic heart-shaped leaves.

 Today, the Aoi-Domoe / Mitsuba-Aoi-no Mon (葵巴/三つ葉葵の紋) 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.

 The Kikkō pattern is a design where regular hexagons are arranged in a way that resembles a turtle’s shell. In Japan, the Kikkō pattern started to be used about 1,000 years ago on the clothing and pottery of the aristocracy, and gradually it was also adopted by Samurais for the design of their clothes and Katanas.

 One reason the pattern became popular among Samurais is because of the structure and functionality of the hexagon. The hexagonal structure has long been associated with strength and endurance. For example, it is used in beehives to protect the bees and honey, and in materials that increase the earthquake resistance of buildings. Additionally, because turtles are known for their long lifespans, the Kikkō pattern is also linked to the idea of longevity. These associations made the pattern appealing to Samurais.

 

Kozuka : 

The theme of the Kozuka is a dragon.

 

Saya: Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. 

 A dragon and clouds are designed on the Kojiri.

*Please keep mind that there are some minor damage on the Saya.

 

Authentication Paper: NBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 1022633 )

  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 Osaka 7162

 The Board of Education in Osaka 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.

 


【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, UK, Canada, Mexico, Germany, 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.

【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.

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