{"id":12763,"date":"2020-12-21T21:11:33","date_gmt":"2020-12-21T12:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=12763"},"modified":"2022-08-23T15:13:39","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T06:13:39","slug":"antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-yasukuni-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/product\/antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-yasukuni-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Yasukuni
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon<\/strong> <\/span>Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Yasukuni with NBTHK<\/span> Tokubetsu Hozon<\/span> Certificate\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u3010Description\u3011<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Yasukuni belonged to the Bushu Shitahara school, located in today’s Hachioji city(southwest part of Tokyo).
\nThis school thrived from the end of the Muromachi period to the late Edo period. (late 16C-Late 19C)<\/p>\n

His real name is Yamamoto Touta, while his smith name changed over time, starting from Hiroshige and then Musashi Taro Yasukuni. He was born in Bushu Hachioji as the son of Touta Hiroshige and moved to Edo city, becoming an apprentice of master Omura Kaboku, a famous swordsmith. Kanboku was primarily working as a surgeon for Mito Tokugawa Mitsukuni, the Mito domain’s feudal lord (Ibaraki prefecture today). Mitsukuni was a grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of Edo government.<\/p>\n

Yasukuni is famous for having forged a sword for the general Mitsukuni because he received an order from the domain in 1685. Futhermore,
\nin 1721, the 8th Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune ordered Yasukuni to participate in the sword-forging exhibition in Hamarikyu, the feudal lord’s residence in Edo. Shogun Yoshimune invited renowned swordsmiths there to compete for their craftsmanship. These facts indicate Yasukuni was acknowledged as a top-tier swordsmith in the mid-Edo period. We believe this Wakizashi was ordered by a high class Samurai official based on its elegant look.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shitahara school where Yasukuni belonged, is the group of swordsmiths under the Hojo clan’s auspicious, powerful feudal line during the late Muromachi period. Most of the Shitahara swordsmith’s real sir name was Yamamoto. After the Toyotomi clan destroyed the Hojo clan in the Azuchi Momoyama period, Shitahara swordsmiths started to serve the Tokugawa clan. They were known as Okakae Kaji, swordsmiths exclusively working for a specific feudal family. They kept forging for the Tokugawa clan until the end of the Edo period.<\/p>\n

\u00a0This blade has a Tokubetsu Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, especially worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). This sword has beautiful Midare Hamon and comes with a beautiful scabbard and intricate sword fitting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3010 Blade\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\nCutting Edge Length(Nagasa)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a 51.5 cm (\u00a0 20.27 <\/strong>inches)<\/strong><\/span>
\nCurvature(Sori)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a1.5<\/strong> cm( 0.59 inches)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Hamon<\/strong><\/span>\uff1a
\nThe crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process<\/strong>
\nJimon<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a
\nvisible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Nakago<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aNakago is the tang of the Japanese sword.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

On this blade, his name, Musashi Taro Yasuhiro is engraved on the front and the other side says Ma Jyugo Mai Kobuse Saku(\u771f\u5341\u4e94\u679a\u7532\u4f0f\u4f5c). Ma Jyugo Koubuse was a particular sword forging method\/technique his master and he utilized.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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).<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Fuchi-Kashira<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aA pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Waves, the stump, and plants are designed. As waves’ movements continue endlessly, the wave pattern represents eternity, immortality, longevity, and birth, etcetera. Also, since tides change the shape and terrain of rocks repeatedly, some people hoped for a strong will for this motif. People used this pattern wishing for an indomitable spirit to rechallenge time and time without giving up. This motif has been appreciated especially for men’s Kimono (traditional Japanese costume) thanks to its dynamic design.<\/span>
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\nTsuka and Menuki<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aTsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Kaeru (\u86d9, frog) is designed for this Menuki. In Japanese, several expressions have the same pronunciation as “Kaeru.” For example; Fuku-Kaeru (\u798f\u304b\u3048\u308b, happiness will return), Okane-Kaeru (\u304a\u91d1\u304b\u3048\u308b, the money will come back), or Buji-Kaeru (\u7121\u4e8b\u304b\u3048\u308b, someone will come back safely), etcetera. Based on these wordplays, the frog pattern has been treated as an auspicious motif. The third example: “Buji-Kaeru,” would match Samurai’s wish to come back from battlefields. This Menuki might have had designed with various wishes of people.\u00a0<\/span>
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\nTsuba and Habaki<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aTsuba 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Aoi (\u8475) is designed for this Tsuba. The leaves of Futaba-Aoi (\u30d5\u30bf\u30d0\u30a2\u30aa\u30a4, Asarum caulescens) is its original motif. This pattern is also used for the crest of the Kamo shrine in Kyoto prefecture. The famous Shogunate family, the Tokugawa family, had their family crest with three leaves of Aoi due to the Kamo shrine’s relation. As its leaves have a habit of always facing the sun, and the word “Aoi” is taken as “Aogu (\u4ef0\u3050, looking up)” for the sun, people thought the Aoi pattern would bring good fortune.\u00a0<\/span>
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\nSaya<\/strong><\/span>\uff1a Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/span>
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Authentication Paper<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aNBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0NBTHK<\/a><\/span><\/span>, 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 June 25th in the second year of Reiwa(2020). 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<\/span><\/a> for your record if you request.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Registration Number :\u00a0 Tokyo 23569<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Board of Education in Tokyo prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword . In order to obtain this paper, the sword needs to be traditionally hand forged. With this paper, its owner can legally own an authentic Japanese sword in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u3010About us\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\n 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u3010Japanese Sword& Export Process<\/strong>\u3011<\/span>
\n The Japanese swords we deal with are hand-forged edged swords made in Japan. It was made from the traditional carbon steel called TAMAHAGANE(\u7389\u92fc)<\/span><\/a>. 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 300 Japanese swords to amazing owners who appreciate its historical value. <\/span><\/p>\n

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.
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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<\/strong> to receive this permit after submitting required documents. And we would like you to expect at least 1-1.5 months<\/strong> for your order to arrive at your given address after you ordered. For more detailed info, please click here<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u3010Payment Method\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0 We accept payment through Stripe(Credit card), PayPal, Apple Pay or ChromePay, all of which are secure payment methods. 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, EUR <\/strong>or GBP<\/strong>. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u3010Shipping\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0 We have shipped authentic Japanese swords to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, UK, Germany , France and Hong Kong<\/strong><\/span>. 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<\/strong><\/span> as long as we can send antique Japanese swords by either EMS or FedEx(USA, Australia, Canada).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 We normally ship by<\/span> EMS<\/strong>(Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. When we receive an order from the USA, Australia or Canada we will use <\/span>FedEx<\/strong> instead as EMS temporarily stops shipping from Japan to those countries due to COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 *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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u3010How to make sure the condition\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n 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.<\/span> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3010The Art of Nihonto(Japanese Sword)<\/strong>\u3011
\nSamurai’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<\/strong>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\u3010A Guide to Japanese Sword Maintenance<\/strong>\u3011<\/span>
\n 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. When you purchase a Japanese sword from us, you can get a Free<\/span><\/strong> sword maintenance kit, which appears in this video<\/span>.
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