Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Kiyoshige with NBTHK Hozon Certificate
【Description】
Summary
This blade was signed by Choshu Ju Fujiwara Kiyoshige (長州住藤原清重). Choshu is another name for Nagato province (today’s Yamaguchi prefecture), and Choshu Ju means he resided in this area when he forged this blade. The maker’s name, Kiyoshige, lasted generations in Choshu from the early-late Edo period (the late 17th-mid 19th century). Although it is not mentioned when this blade was forged in the appraisal, NBTHK, which issued the certificate, said this Kiyoshige is thought to be the one who was active during the early Edo period. The swordsmith, Choshu Ju Fujiwara Kiyoshige, active during the early Edo period (the late 17th century), is considered to include Nagato no Kuni Abu-gun Hagi Ju Hasegawa Hachizaemon no Jo Kiyoshige (長門国阿武郡荻住長谷川八左衛門尉清重), the first-gen Hasegawa Hachizaemon Kiyoshige (長谷川八左衛門清重), and his son, the second-gen Hasegawa Hachizaemon Kiyoshige.
The first-gen Hasegawa Hachizaemon Kiyoshige’s real name was Hasegawa Kanbei (長谷川勘兵衛) and the descendant of the Nioh school, which is the group of swordsmiths (school) that flourished from the mid-Kamakura period to the late Muromachi period (500-750 years ago) and lasted until the Edo period (150—400 years ago). The school was founded by Nioh Taro Kiyotsuna (二王太郎清綱) in Suo province (today’s Yamaguchi prefecture). According to his remaining work, the oldest blade was forged in 1265. It is currently enshrined at the Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima. It is said that he started to forge swords in around 1205 (the early Kamakura period). The Nioh swordsmiths inherited the part of its founder’s name 清 (Kiyo), such as 清房 (Kiyofusa), 清長 (Kiyonaga). Hasegawa Hachizaemon Kiyoshige was also a renowned swordsmith of this school.
The Nioh school declined during the early Edo period, and the first-gen Hasegawa Hachizaemon Kiyoshige moved from Bizen province to Hagi, Choshu province, around the Kanei era (the early-mid 17th century) and became an Okakaekaji for the Mori family, the load of the Choshu domain. Okakaekaji is a swordsmith who exclusively forged swords for a specific domain or clan. The second-gen Hasegawa Hachizaemon Kiyoshige also lived in Hagi and later moved to Susa, Abu-gun in Choshu and also became an Okakaekaji in the Masuda family, the chief retainer of the Choshu domain.
It is also said that the Kiyoshige family held the head position of the swordsmiths of the Choshu domain for generations since the Edo period, and also supported Minamoto Kiyomaro, one of the three most renowned swordsmiths during the late Edo period, who lived in Hagi, Choshu, for a couple of years during the Tenpo era (the late Edo period) as the chief swordsmith of the Choshu domain. Judging from the fact, the craftsmanship of the Kiyoshige family must have been highly appreciated.
It is appraised as a Hozon Token (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)：56.3 cm (22.1 inches)
Curvature (Sori)：1.27 cm (0.5 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 motif of this Fuchi Kashira is Misu (御簾), which is a bamboo blind used at temples, shrines, and especially palaces called Shinden-zukuri (寝殿造). Shinden-zukuri is an architectural style used by aristocrats from the Heian period (794-) to the Kamakura period (-1336). Bamboo was generally used for the Misu, but there were various types depending on the material used, such as reed screens, which are screens made of reed grass (葦, Ashi/Yoshi), and used to protect from sunlight and glances. The way to use the blind is to open it by rolling it up inward.
You would also find cloud-like pattern. The cloud pattern was often depicted in the picture describing Shinden-zukuri. The cloud pattern has been associated with magical power, and people thought it an omen of lucky things. In addition, some people wished to obtain a leisurely life in comfort by seeing clouds’ movements (that floats in the sky). Or, as clouds appear repeatedly, its design represents reincarnation. Samurais were always on the verge of life and death on the battlefield. They might have believed in the power of this pattern. And they had incorporated it into the design of their sword mountings.
Tsuka and Menuki：Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
The motif of this Menuki seems to be a combination of Akikusa (秋草, autumn plants) and Botan (牡丹). Akikusa includes various kinds of plants, such as chrysanthemum (菊, Kiku), as seen here. A long time ago, the chrysanthemum was used as a medicine for obtaining a long life in China, and it was brought to Japan with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). Chrysanthemum is one of the flowers which symbolizes fall, and people appreciate it very much since ancient times. As its petals form radially, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. “Kiku no Gomon (菊の御紋)” is a kind of chrysanthemum pattern, and it has been used as the crest of the Emperor and the royal family in Japan so that it is well-known as a noble pattern.
Peony represents happiness, wealth, nobleness, and gorgeousness. This flower pattern has been treated as a kind of good-omen motif; people regarded it as a rich harvest sign. Peony is called “Botan” in Japanese. When we write this flower’s name in Japanese, its second letter means mountain hermit medicine that would give us eternal youth. Based on the meaning of this letter, the peony pattern symbolizes eternal youth and longevity.
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.
Saya：Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
The surface of this scabbard is sprinkled with fine glitter-like decoration. This decoration is thought to have been finished by attaching finely crushed shells to the surface of the scabbard and grinding them out.
Authentication Paper：NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 3004254)
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 January 31st in the 26th year of Heisei (2014). They appraised it as 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：Yamaguchi 3883
The Board of Education in Yamaguchi prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword. It is called Jyu Ho Token Rui Torokusho (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, 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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