on the right corner of the photo.Authentic Modern Japanese Sword Daisho Signed by 27th Kanemoto
【Description】
Both the katana and wakizashi were signed by the 27th Kanemoto (第27代 兼元) in May of the 2nd year of the Heisei era (1990). His real name was Keneko Tatsuichirō (金子達一郎). He was born in 1924 in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, a region long known for its swordsmithing tradition. Keneko Tatsuichirō joined the All Japan Swordsmith Association in 1937 and became a disciple of Watanabe Kanenaga (渡辺兼永). In 1944, he succeeded the title of the 27th Kanemoto. He was known for creating works inspired by the styles of renowned swordsmiths such as Shizu Kaneuji and Magoroku Kanemoto. Over his long career, he received numerous honors, including the Mayor’s Award from the city of Seki for contributions to industry in 1980, and was designated as a Gifu Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Asset in 1997. He passed away on January 24, 2008, at the age of 83.
About Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture is located in the center of Japan’s main island, Honshu, and is known for its rich history, traditional craftsmanship, and natural beauty. It has long been a hub of swordsmithing, particularly in the city of Seki, which has been renowned for producing high-quality Japanese swords for over 700 years. Seki’s blades are famous for their sharpness, durability, and elegant craftsmanship, and the region continues to preserve these traditions through modern artisans. Even today, Gifu remains home to many dedicated swordsmiths who continue the tradition of forging Japanese swords with great passion and skill.
About Modern Swordsmith
There are around 150-200 swordsmiths in Japan today. To legally produce Japanese swords, one needs to pass the national exam given by the Agency for Cultural Affairs(Bunka-Cho) and receive the license. Before taking the exam, one must finish his or her apprenticeship under a licensed master for more than five years. Those who practice Iaido(居合道) tend to use those modern swords, and there are modern Japanese sword collectors nationwide. Modern Japanese sword makers are researching old ways to forge swords and trying to recreate ancient-style swords. They are the ones who keep the tradition of Japanese history alive.
What is Daisho?
Daisho is a pair of two Japanese swords Samurai carried. During the Edo period, having Daisho in public places was considered social status for Samurai. Furthermore, Samurai were required to wear them under the law back then. Daisho is written as 大=Big and 小=Small. Dai part means Katana, and Sho part means Wakizashi. We are confident you would find this pair of Daisho gorgeous.
Horimono (Engraving)
This blade has beautiful engravings on both sides. You would find the Horimono (彫り物, sculpture) of Bonji (梵字) on this blade.
Bonji (梵字) is Sanscrit characters carved into the blade invoking Buddhist deities. Sword carvings often depict Fudo Myo-O (不動明王, acalanātha) or his incarnations, and there are also Sanskrit characters that represent this god. Among the various Buddhist Buddhas, Fudo Myo-O was deeply worshiped by Samurai warriors. According to a theory, this god is the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来, Mahāvairocana, the principal image of esoteric Buddhism). Perhaps the most common type of Sanskrit character carved on the blades is the character “Kahn (カーン)”, which means Fudo Myo-O. There is also a Sanskrit character called “Kanmarn (カンマーン),” which is combined with the word “Man.” There was once a trend that Samurai warriors incorporated motifs with religious meaning into their battle costumes, such as armor and helmets, and this sword carving was also a way to express their religious beliefs.
*Please keep in mind that there are a couple of chip on tip of the Katana blade. Also, there is partial black rust on the Wakizashi. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
【Blade】
Katana
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)：75.6 cm (29.7 inches)
Curvature(Sori)： 1.9 cm (0.74 inches)
Wakizashi
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)：54.6 cm (18.5 inches)
Curvature(Sori)：0.9 cm (0.35 inches)
Katana
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
Wakizashi
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.
The kissaki of a Japanese sword varies by size and shape. Main types include ōkissaki (very large), chūkissaki (moderately large), kokissaki (smallest), kamasu-kissaki (tapered like a barracuda’s mouth), and ikubi-kissaki (short and stout like a boar’s neck). This sword has an ōkissaki, making its tip exceptionally large.
Nakago：Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword.
Japanese swordsmiths left the black rust on the tang on purpose to prevent red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, which 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.
We believe the motif of this menuki is a folding fan (扇子, sensu).
The design of the fan, which flares outward, is considered an auspicious symbol because its shape resembles Mount Fuji. In Japan, Mount Fuji has been revered as a sacred mountain and a spiritual symbol for centuries. The shape of the fan, which mirrors that of Mount Fuji, is thought to carry the blessings and power of the gods, making it a symbol of good fortune. This connection to Mount Fuji imbues the fan’s shape with positive meaning, and it is regarded as a symbol of prosperity and good luck.
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 chrysanthemum (菊: Kiku) is depicted on this tsuba.
In ancient China, the chrysanthemum was believed to have medicinal properties that could promote long life. It was introduced to Japan during the Nara period (648-781) with this belief. The chrysanthemum is one of the flowers that symbolize autumn and has been highly appreciated by people since ancient times. Due to its radial petal formation, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. This association is why the chrysanthemum is often considered a symbol of perpetual youth, longevity, and good health. “Kiku no Gomon” (菊の御紋), a specific chrysanthemum pattern, has been used as the crest of the Emperor and the royal family in Japan, making it a well-known noble emblem.
Additionally, the chrysanthemum depicted here is part of a design known as “Jigami-mon” (地紙紋). The tradition of “Jigami” refers to a custom in which paper, chosen according to personal taste, was applied to the base of a folding fan (扇子, sensu). This paper, called “Jigami,” was affixed to the ribs of the fan. During the Edo period, this custom evolved, and the chrysanthemum was incorporated into the design of family crests as an arrangement of the sensu motif. The shape of the fan, which flares outwards, came to symbolize auspiciousness and prosperity.This design is also featured on the menuki, providing a consistent and harmonious design theme throughout the fittings.
*Please keep in mind that the back side of the fan on the Katana Tsuba is missing.
Saya： Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
*Please keep in mind that there are some partial damage on the Sayas.
Registration Number: Gifu 65859-65860
The Board of Education in Gifu prefecture issued a registration paper for the Katana and Wakizashi swords. It is called Jyu Hou Touken 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 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, 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.
