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Updated: 30 Mar 2024

SOLD

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi
Mumei SUKESADA
NBTHK Certificate

$2,259.39

Included: NBTHK certificate, traditional sword carrying case, Sword maintenance kit, full exportation support

Category Wakizashi(KO-TO)
Age Muromachi Period(1532-1573 A.D.)
Swordsmith Genbe Sukesada(源兵衛祐定)
Certificate NBTHK certificate on both the blade and its scabbard
Location Bizen(Today’s Okayama Prefecture)
Blade Size Length:38.0 cm(15.0 inches)/Curvature:1.0 cm(0.4 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 Mumei SUKESADA with NBTHK Certificate

【Description】
Genbe Sukesada(源兵衛祐定) was one of the most well-known swordsmiths in Bizen province.(Today’s Okayama prefecture.)He forged sword during 1532-1573 A.D. Based on the hamon(wavy pattern on the blade),the shape and the color of the carbon steel, the sword appraiser, NBTHK believed this sword was made by him.

Those who forged swords in the Bizen province(Okayama prefecture) 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. Bizen is the birthplace of Bizen Den,one of the most famous Japanese sword tradtion along with Yamashiro Den, Soshu Den, Mino Den and Yamato Den.

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.  It would be nice to have a piece that was forged in the warring state period, when there was so much rivalry between warlords.

【Blade 】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)38.0 cm(15.0 inches)
Curvature(Sori)1.0 cm(0.4 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

 

【Other Detail】

Fuchi-KashiraA pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt

 Autumn flowers decorate Fuchi Kashira. For example, chrysanthemum, Japanese bellflower, and bush clover are designed. Also, a butterfly resting its wings at the leaf is seen. As a deer is engraved for Kozuka, it might be unified as a design with autumn elements. 
 

Tsuka& MenukiTsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration(dragon and tiger)

 A lion and a dragon are designed as Menuki. People consider the lion the power of the sun; therefore, lion pattern has been believed that it would exorcise evil spirits and protect people.

 Initially, the dragon is an imaginary beast that is found in ancient Chinese traditions or myths. And it is a symbol of auspicious signs. Its body is likened nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, belly is Mizuchi (a 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. People appreciate this creature design as the all-purpose auspicious pattern.

Scabbard(Saya)Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword

KozukaKozuka is the short equipment used a comb or a short knife to cut something small 

 A deer is designed for Kozuka. In Japan, deer was once an essential food, and people used its leather for clothing, and its antler was processed for fishhooks or ornaments. However, the situation changed after rice cultivation became a popular life-style. People apotheosized deer and regard it as god’s messenger. Deer was incorporated into the theme of Japanese poetry in the Nara period (648-781), and people appreciated it as the symbol of love with a scene of the autumn landscape. It is said this animal pattern represents the prolongation of life and longevity.

CertificateAuthentication PaperNBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate for the blade and sword mountings

NBTHK, also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai, is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the blade and its sword mounting on Nov 26th in the 42th year of Showa(1967). They appraised them as Tokubetsu Kicho Touken&Kodougu. The purchaser will receive these original certificates as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you 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 350 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. 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, UK, Germany, Switzerland, 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 either EMS or FedEx(Canada). 

 We normally ship by EMS(Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. When we receive an order from the 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.

* If you live in Australia and like to purchase an authentic Japanese sword, please click here to know the detail.

*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.

【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 Powder, Peg remover, Oil Applicator). By watching the video instruction above , you can enjoy learning how to maintain your Japanese sword while appreciating it.

 

MORE ANTIQUE JAPANESE SWORD FOR SALE

READ KATANA ARCHIVE ARTICLE(Episode1-8)

LEARN JAPANESE SWORD TERMINOLOGY

 

 Thank you for reading all the information on the page. If you have any difficulty choosing the right 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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    *Please contact us prior to purchase if your country isn’t listed.

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