Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Masayuki with NBTHK Tokubestsu Hozon Certificate
【Description】
This blade was forged in the 13th year of the Bunka era (1816) by Hoki no Kami Taira Ason Masayuki (伯耆守平朝臣正幸). At that time, Masayuki was 84 years old, and this masterpiece can be considered the culmination of his lifelong dedication to sword-making. Created at the pinnacle of his craft, this blade exemplifies his refined skills and deep pursuit of excellence.
According to records, Masayuki was active from 1772 (Meiwa 9) to 1817 (Bunka 14) during the late Edo period. He was born in the 18th year of the Kyoho era (1733) as the eldest son of the second-generation Ijichi Masayoshi (伊地知正良). Initially, he took on the name Masayoshi, becoming the third-generation Masayoshi after inheriting his father’s school. In the 6th year of the Meiwa era (1769), he was granted the official title of “Hoki no Kami” (伯耆守) and changed his swordsmith name to Masayuki. The name “Masayoshi” was later passed down to his eldest son. Masayuki passed away at the age of 86 in the 15th year of the Bunka era (1818).
Masayuki was one of the most renowned swordsmiths of the Satsuma domain (today’s Kagoshima Prefecture) in the late Edo period, alongside Okuyamato no Kami Motohira. He was also deeply dedicated to training his students, and it is said that 60 swordsmiths learned the art of sword-making under his guidance.
Satsuma Province had a significantly high samurai population compared to other regions and was known for its formidable military power under the rule of the Shimazu clan. To remain active and respected as a swordsmith in such a demanding environment, exceptional skill was required. Masayuki was one of those who thrived under these circumstances. His father, Masayoshi, served the Satsuma domain, and given Masayuki’s prestigious title and status, it is highly likely that he also forged swords for the domain.
This blade 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)： 50.6 cm ( 19.9 inches)
Curvature(Sori)：1.4 cm (0.55 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.
Tsuka and Menuki：Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
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 depicts a Kassen-Zu (合戦図, battle scene), a theme of great significance in Japanese culture. Battle scenes symbolize the bravery and martial prowess of samurai, embodying the ideals of Bushidō (武士道, the way of the warrior). These depictions not only convey strength, honor, and strategic wisdom on the battlefield but also reflect core values such as loyalty and self-sacrifice, which were integral to samurai life.
Battle scene designs often portray historical events or famous battles, serving as a symbol of the owner’s lineage and social status. For samurai, achieving fame on the battlefield was of utmost importance, and incorporating such designs into sword fittings was a way to express pride and respect for their ancestors.
Moreover, battle scene designs are characterized not only by their visual beauty but also by their dynamic compositions, capturing the tension and movement of the battlefield. They enhance the symbolic power of the sword as a representation of “strength” and “protection.” The battle scene on this Tsuba deeply conveys the owner’s pride as a samurai, their strength, and the spiritual significance of their commitment to combat.
Kozuka：Kozuka is a small knife stored in Kozuka Hitsu(groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword).
This Kozuka (小柄) depicts a plum blossoms (梅, ume) and pine (松, matsu), two deeply symbolic elements in Japanese culture.
Plum blossoms are one of the first flowers to bloom in early spring, often appearing while snow still lingers. They symbolize perseverance, renewal, and hope, as they flourish despite harsh winter conditions. In samurai culture, the plum blossom represents resilience and inner strength, embodying the ideal of enduring adversity with grace and dignity. Plum blossoms were also seen as a symbol of refinement and were frequently depicted in Japanese art and poetry.
Pine trees, on the other hand, are evergreen and remain lush throughout the year. They symbolize longevity, steadfastness, and unyielding spirit, qualities highly valued in Bushidō (武士道, the way of the warrior). Since ancient times, pine trees have been associated with good fortune and strength, making them a popular motif in samurai crests (家紋, kamon) and sword fittings.
Saya： Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
This Saya is covered with black lacquer. Due to its high waterproof effect, lacquer has been used since ancient times in Asia. The blade of a Japanese sword is made of iron, and moisture is the greatest enemy of iron. For the purpose of carrying the blade without degrading it, people devised a method of coating the scabbard with lacquer. To prevent not only moisture but also rain and snow from penetrating the inside of the scabbard, it was necessary to apply multiple layers of lacquer. The Nushi (塗師, lacquerers) was born precisely because advanced techniques were required to handle the complicated processes.
Authentication Paper：NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 151719)
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 September 1st in the 18th year of Heisei (2006). 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 : Aichi 31593
The Board of Education in Aichi 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 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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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.
