{"id":8731,"date":"2020-07-10T09:00:17","date_gmt":"2020-07-10T00:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?p=8731"},"modified":"2022-07-08T00:18:04","modified_gmt":"2022-07-07T15:18:04","slug":"episode-4-japanese-sword-appraisers-in-modern-times-nbthk-nthk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/episode-4-japanese-sword-appraisers-in-modern-times-nbthk-nthk\/","title":{"rendered":"Episode 4: Japanese Sword Appraisers in Modern Times (NBTHK \/ NTHK )"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u3010Episode 4\u3011Japanese Sword Appraisers in Modern Times: NBTHK \/ NTHK<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Given these pieces of information in the previous episodes, you might have wondered:\u00a0<\/span>
\n“Is there anyone who can authenticate or appraise antique Japanese swords?<\/span>“<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Today, we would like to touch on this subject.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0First of all, authentic Japanese swords often have a copy of the Authentication Paper, which is often called ORIGAMI(\u6298\u308a\u7d19; Folded paper) in Japanese.\u00a0 If the sword has a Origami, it means that the artifact has been proved to be authentic.\u00a0 In case you found the sword without its authentication paper, that does not necessarily mean that the sword is fake.\u00a0 We assume that the sword’s previous owner may not have been too interested in getting one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The origin of the term Origami dates back to the Samurai times, as the Japanese sword sharpener family HON-AMI was selected as the Government’s official sword appraisal agency.\u00a0 Since they folded the authentication paper, it was called Origami, with the first ‘Ori’ meaning ‘Fold’ and the latter part ‘Gami’ meaning ‘Paper.’\u00a0 Thus, the broad definition of the word Origami could range from the ones during that era to those in modern times, which might largely differ.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The ones we intend to address here are the Origami in the present day, Japanese sword certificates of historical value in general.<\/span>
\nWhile Origami themselves have always been a big subject for all collectors\/merchants around Japan, these below are officially known as the two most reliable organizations at the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 I<\/span><\/span>: NBHTK or Nihon Bijutsu Tohken Hozon Kyoukai (\u65e5\u672c\u7f8e\u8853\u5200\u5263\u4fdd\u5b58\u5354\u4f1a; The Japanese Art Sword Preservation Committee)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

NBTHK is currently the most active organization for authentication of Japanese swords.\u00a0\u00a0The foundation of NBTHK dates back to the post-WWII era, following the establishment of the current Japanese Government, when Japanese swords were on the verge of extinction.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the American operational unit GHQ (General Head Quarter) tried to confiscate all sorts of Japanese weapons from the country, the founders of NBTHK thought to protect the history and everlasting beauty of the Japanese sword as an antique collection by organizing a governmental entity.\u00a0 NBTHK started operating in the year 1948 and has issued the largest number of Origami for Japanese swords.<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to NBTHK’s appraisal, there are four\u00a0 given ranks for valuable Japanese swords.<\/span><\/p>\n

a. Tokubetsu Juyo\u00a0 (Very important)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

b. Juyo\u00a0 (Important)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

c. Tokubetsu Hozon (Specially Preserved)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

d. Hozon (Preserved)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

*These three ranks were also used by NBTHK from 1948 to 1981.<\/span>
\n-Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho *No longer issued<\/span>
\n-Tokubetsu Kicho (Special Rare) *No longer issued<\/span>
\n-Kicho (Rare) *No longer issued<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25a0An Example of Juyo TOKEN Paper issued by NBTHK\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>
\n\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25a0\u00a0An Example of Tokubetsu Hozon TOKEN Paper issued by NBTHK\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>
\n\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25a0An Example of Hozon TOKEN Paper issued by NBTHK\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>
\n\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

NBTHK JUYO Token for sale<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token for sale<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

NBTHK Hozon Token for sale<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2161: NTHK (It’s an NPO; Non-Profitable Organization) or Nihon Touken Hozon Kai (\u65e5\u672c\u5200\u5263\u4fdd\u5b58\u4f1a; The Japanese Sword Preservation Society)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

NTHK-NPO is the oldest organization for authentication of Japanese swords. It was established in 1910 during the post-Samurai era. The founder UKOH TAKASE published a history book called ‘Sword and History’ in the 43rd of the Meiji period, which gradually led to the establishment of NTHK.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0In the NTHK appraisal today, authentication papers are issued in four different ranks.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Yushu Saku (Valuable)<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Kanteisho (Appraised)<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Shinteisho (Authenticated)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u25a0An Example of Kanteisho Paper issued by NTHK<\/strong><\/span>
    \n\u00a0 \"\" \"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0The authentication papers issued before 1979 had more ranks, which were a bit too complicated, so they changed the valuation basis in that year.\u00a0 The ranks that had existed before 1979 are listed below if you would like to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u30fbSai-Yushu Saku<\/span>
    \n\u00a0 \u00a0\u30fbYushu Saku II \/ Yushu Saku (Today’s Yushu Saku rank)<\/span>
    \n\u00a0 \u00a0\u30fbShu Saku II \/ Shu Saku \/ Yu Saku (Today’s Kanteisho rank)<\/span>
    \n\u00a0 \u00a0\u30fbYu Saku (Equals today’s Shinteisho)<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u00a0It is sometimes hard to determine the authenticity of signatures or unsigned swords, even for Japanese sword appraisers.\u00a0 There can be different opinions among NBTHK and NTHK when it comes to appraising the Japanese swords.\u00a0 However, we firmly believe that these Origami papers help you understand the mysterious world of the Japanese sword and its history at a deeper level.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0Above are the two organizations for sword authentication in Japan. We hope this article helps you resolve the question in this episode. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Antique Japanese swords we sell have the actual certificate by either NTHK or NBTHK. You may also take that into account if you are beginning to imagine having an everlasting, refined piece of the Japanese sword.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u00a0Thank you so much for reading the article. See you in the next episode.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Samurai Museum<\/strong><\/span>
    \nEmail:     order@samuraimuseum.jp<\/a><\/span>
    \nTEL:+81 3 6457 6411<\/span><\/p>\n

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