{"id":14806,"date":"2021-03-05T21:56:02","date_gmt":"2021-03-05T12:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=14806"},"modified":"2022-08-25T10:12:58","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T01:12:58","slug":"antique-japanese-sword-katana-signed-by-7th-gen-masahiro-nthk-kanteisho-certificate","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/product\/antique-japanese-sword-katana-signed-by-7th-gen-masahiro-nthk-kanteisho-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by 7th-gen Masahiro
NTHK Kanteisho Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by 7th-gen Masahiro with NTHK Kanteisho Certificate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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

Kawachi Daijyo Masahiro(\u6cb3\u5185\u5927\u63be\u6b63\u5e83) is a renowned swordsmith from Hizen province. (today’s Saga prefecture). This blade was forged by the seventh generation in the Bunkyu era(Late Edo period: 1861-1864), according to the NTHK authentication paper.<\/p>\n

The first-gen, Fujiwara Masahiro, was the grandson of Tadayoshi, the founder of Tadayoshi school in Hizen province. At the beginning of his career, Masahiro signed as Masanaga and then changed it to Masahiro in 1625 A.D(the second year of Kanei). He was especially highly regarded among the Nabeshima clan, a powerful feudal family in Hizen province. Nabeshima Katsushige is the one who ordered Masahiro to change his maker’s name. Masahiro was selected as Okakae Kaji for Nabeshima clan, meaning he was exclusively forging swords for the feudal family. It was quite honorable for any swordsmiths to be an Okakae Kaji. It is said that Masahiro’s forging technique was so great that he sometimes forged swords on behalf of Tadayoshi. The swords forged in Hizen province are known as Hizen To, famous for their beautiful Jigane. (The steel of a constructed blade)<\/p>\n

Seventh-gen Fujiwara Masahiro inherited great sword-forging techniques from his previous generations. This blade has a couple of black rusts, which won’t significantly interfere with this blade’s appreciation. If you prefer to have the blade polished, you can make a request.<\/p>\n

If you like to see more detailed photos before your purchase, please feel free to ask us. Please keep in mind that you can also see aging in the red scabbard.<\/p>\n

\u3010Blade\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\nCutting Edge Length(Nagasa)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a 68.6 <\/strong>cm(27.0\u00a0 inches)<\/strong><\/span>
\nCurvature(Sori)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a 1.0 cm( 0.39 <\/span>i<\/strong>nches)<\/span><\/strong><\/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(Jihada)<\/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

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:\u00a0Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya(Sabbard), 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.\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Aki-no Nanakusa (\u79cb\u306e\u4e03\u8349, the seven flowers of autumn) and autumn insects are designed for this Fuchi Kashira. Aki-no Nanakusa is constituted with seven plants that were written in the Tanka composed by Yamanoue no Okura (\u5c71\u4e0a\u61b6\u826f, Japanese poet). These flowers are Hagi (\u8429, bush clover), Obana (\u5c3e\u82b1, Japanese pampas grass), Kuzu (\u845b, kudzu vine), Nadeshiko (\u64ab\u5b50, pink), Ominaeshi (\u5973\u90ce\u82b1, yellow patrinia), Fujibakama (\u85e4\u88b4, boneset), and Kikyou (\u6854\u6897, Japanese bellflower). Japanese people enjoy admiring these plants since ancient times. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Also, we would mention the insect motif because it is related to the taste of Samurai. If you focus on the Fuchi, you will find a dragonfly that is engraved on flowers. Dragonfly has been inhabiting since a long time ago in Japan. As they bag preys quickly, its heroic figure was sometimes the object of belief. During the Warring States period, a dragonfly was called \u201cKachimushi (\u52dd\u3061\u866b)\u201d because of its fearless character; it moves only forward, not backward. It is said that is why many Samurais loved this insect pattern.<\/span>
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Tsuka and Menuki<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aTsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0It seems an older adult is riding on the giant catfish holding a gourd. There is a famous theme of ink painting that is called Hyoune Zu (\u74e2\u9bf0\u56f3). It depicts a man trying to keep Namazu (\u9bf0, catfish) with Hyoutan (\u74e2\u7baa, gourd). It is a question and answer of Zen Buddhism. It is thought this theme came from the proverb that means to succeed having difficulty. The motifs of sword mountings sometimes reflect the taste of its owner or his view of religion. Therefore, one of the formers of this sword might have been involved in Zen Buddhism.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0An antique iron Tsuba with Kozuka and Kougai holes. As it has a crooked-shape, it might have tried to express something that has an irregular look, such as water or cloud. Based on the motif of Menuki (in this case, it is Hyoune Zu), this Tsuba possibly depicts the surface of the river in which the catfish swims.
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Saya<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aSaya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. <\/strong><\/span>
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Authentication Paper<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aNTHK Kanteisho Certificate for the blade<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

NTHK<\/span><\/a>, also known as NPO Nihon Touken Hozon Kai, is the oldest organization for sword authentication of Japanese swords in modern times. It was established in 1889 during the post-Samurai era. They authenticated the blade on Jan 17th in the third year of Reiwa (2021).The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span> for your record if you request.<\/p>\n

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Registration Number : <\/span><\/strong><\/span>Hyogo 48154<\/strong>
\n\u00a0The Board of Education in Hygo<\/span>\u00a0prefecture 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.<\/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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