{"id":54278,"date":"2024-08-13T15:12:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T06:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=54278"},"modified":"2024-09-12T10:53:20","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T01:53:20","slug":"antique-japanese-sword-tanto-signed-by-kanefusa-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/product\/antique-japanese-sword-tanto-signed-by-kanefusa-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Japanese Sword Tanto Signed by Kanefusa
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon<\/strong> <\/span>Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antique Japanese Sword Tanto Signed by Kanefusa <\/span>with NBTHK Tokubestsu<\/span> Hozon<\/span> Certificate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0This blade was signed by Kanefusa (\u517c\u623f). The maker’s name, Kanefusa, lasted a few generations during the Muromachi period. We believe this blade was made by a late-gen Kanefusa in the late Muromachi period (early-mid 16th century) based on its characteristic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The first-gen Kanefusa was active during the Eikyo era (1429-1441: mid-Muromachi period), and he was known as the son of Kaneshige, who belonged to Yoshisada school in Seki city. In Mino province, Seki City was the most active sword-forging site. And the first-gen Kanefusa was famous for inventing a particular Hamon (tempering line) called Kenbo Midare (\u517c\u623f\u4e71\u308c).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The swordsmiths of Mino province, with their unwavering dedication and unparalleled craftsmanship, developed a unique sword-forging tradition known as MINO-DEN. This tradition was characterized by the TOGARI(Pointed shapes protruding from the Hamon ) in a classic straight line and a random temper line with some white Utsuri. MINO-DEN, with its roots in YAMATO-DEN in the late KAMAKURA period(1280-1330), flourished during the Nanbokucho-Muromachi period(1333-1573) and continued its legacy until the Edo period(1603-1868). The evolution and endurance of MINO-DEN stand as a testament to the skill and artistry of these swordsmiths.<\/span><\/p>\n

MINO-DEN especially prospered during Sengoku Jidai (Warring State period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers. Furthermore, so many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area. Mino was located in the middle, making feudal lords feel it was convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO province also had a reputation for their practical design and sharpness. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0This blade is appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token <\/strong>(\u7279\u5225\u4fdd\u5b58\u5200\u5263) issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:\u65e5\u672c\u7f8e\u8853\u5200\u5263\u4fdd\u5b58\u5354\u4f1a). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u3010Blade\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\nCutting Edge Length(Nagasa)\uff1a<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/strong>28.0<\/strong>\u00a0cm (11.0 <\/strong>inches)<\/strong><\/span>
\nCurvature(Sori)\uff1a<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/strong>0.75cm (0.29 inches)\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\"\" \"\"
\n\"\" \"\"
\n\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kissaki\uff1a<\/span><\/strong><\/span>Kissaki is the tip\u00a0of the Japanese sword.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nakago\uff1a<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/span>Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Japanese swordsmiths left the black rust on the tang because it prevents red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, and it is a great indicator for a Japanese sword specialist to estimate when the sword was forged.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Koshirae\uff1a<\/span><\/strong><\/strong>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

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fuchi-Kashira\uff1a<\/span><\/span><\/strong>A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Pine trees (\u677e, Matsu) and arabesque (\u5510\u8349, Karakusa) are the theme of this Fuchi Kashira’s design.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0As pine trees keep their green color throughout the years by withstanding severe heat and cold, people thought this plant pattern represents eternal youth. Furthermore, its color is called Tokiwa-Iro (\u5e38\u76e4\u8272, evergreen trees\u2019 dark green color with brown), and pine trees have another name \u201cTokiwa-Gi (\u5e38\u76e4\u6728).\u201d Tokiwa means immutability, so Tokiwa-Iro is a color that praises green with a wish for longevity and prosperity. It is said this color was appreciated, especially in the Edo period, as a good-luck color. The pine tree design gives us an elegant and noble impression; it might be another reason that people love this motif.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Also, Karakusa pattern is a pattern in which stems and leaves of vines are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows up without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity. Vine is called Tsuru (\u8513) in Japanese, and it has another pronunciation; \u201cMan.\u201d There is a word \u4e07 (it is also read Man), which means ten thousand. In the Karakusa pattern, leaves and vines are connected like Obi (\u5e2f, belt). The word \u201c\u5e2f\u201d can also be read \u201cTai.\u201d Due to its pronunciation, the term \u201c\u4ee3 (Tai)\u201d is associated. From this word-association game, an idiom \u4e07\u4ee3 is associated, and it means a thousand generations. In other words, we could imagine that people used this design wishing prosperity and longevity for their clans for a long time.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\"\"
\nTsuka and Menuki\uff1a<\/span><\/span><\/strong>Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\u00a0The motif of this Menuki is Idaten (\u97cb\u99c4\u5929) and Shoshitsuki (\u6377\u75be\u9b3c).\u00a0<\/span><\/section>\n
\u00a0Idaten, on the upper Menuki, is one of the guardian deities of Buddhism. And Shoshitsuki, on the lower Menuki, is the demon that stole the Buddha’s ashes. According to a theory, Idaten chased after Shoshitsuki and successfully retrieved the ashes. Therefore, the name Idaten has been used to represent a person who runs very fast.\u00a0<\/span><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Tsuba and Habaki<\/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

\u00a0On this Tsuba, there are two big engraved holes on both left and right sides (\u5de6\u53f3), which is called the Sayu Oh Sukasi (\u5de6\u53f3\u5927\u900f). Sukashi is a traditional openwork technique. Also, the Mimi (\u8033, edge) is decorated with a rope pattern.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kozuka\uff1a<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/span>Kozuka is a small knife stored in Kozuka Hitsu(groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword).<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0The theme of this Kozuka is\u00a0Gosan-no-Kiri (\u4e94\u4e09\u306e\u6850) .<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Kiri pattern generally comprises three standing straight inflorescences and three leaves. The number of blooming flowers at each inflorescence means the ranks of this design. The Gosan-no-Kiri (\u4e94\u4e09\u306e\u6850) pattern is a popular design that the paulownia motif is used. According to tradition, the Houou (\u9cf3\u51f0, Fenghuang) rests its wings at the paulownia tree; therefore, it has come to be regarded as a holy plant. Cherry blossom is one of the seasonal things of spring, and Japanese people have appreciated this plant for a long time. A theory says that the god of grain exists in cherry blossoms. Therefore, this flower pattern has been treated as the symbol of a plentiful harvest. The Karakusa pattern is a design in which vine stems and leaves are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Also, its surface is decorated with the Nanako-Ji (\u9b5a\u5b50\u5730) technique. This process makes a uniform minimal protrusions pattern by hitting the Nanako-Ji Tagane (\u9b5a\u5b50\u5730\u93e8, a chisel for this technique) on a metal surface. This decorative technique is often seen on sword mountings, as seen on this work.<\/span>
\n\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saya\uff1a<\/span><\/span><\/strong>Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0This Saya is decorated with Kairagi (\u6885\u82b1\u76ae), the skin of rays and sharks sharpened to make a beautiful pattern that looks like plum blossoms. Also, on the Kurikata (\u6817\u5f62), which is attached near the Koiguchi (\u9bc9\u53e3, a rim of the scabbard) and its shape looks like a half-cut chestnut, there is also Gozan no Kiri (\u4e94\u4e09\u306e\u6850) patten, same as the Kozuka. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Moreover, the motif of Gunbai (\u8ecd\u914d, Sumo referee\u2019s fan today) is attached. The Gunbai is a tool that is related to the Samurai culture. Its shape is an Uchiwa (\u56e3\u6247, Japanese fan). Fans were brought to Japan from the continent in the Nara period (710-794). According to a theory, Uchiwas were used in the court or the aristocracy back then. In addition, after the Ohnin-Bunmei era (\u5fdc\u4ec1\u30fb\u6587\u660e\u5e74\u9593, 1467-1487), military commanders used Gunbai-Uchiwa (\u8ecd\u914d\u56e3\u6247), which is made of leather or iron. They encouraged their subordinates by using it. Also, it was used for ordering the arrangement of an army: For example, the placement of troops, the date and time of the advance, and retreat. It is the origin of the Gunbai, which Sumo (\u76f8\u64b2, Japanese wrestling) referees use to judge victory or defeat today. In this way, metalworks that incorporate motifs related to Samurai costumes into sword mountings are often seen. It might have encouraged Samurai warriors who went to battlefields.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Authentication Paper\uff1a<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/span>NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 1022635)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0NBTHK<\/span><\/a>, 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 May 31st in the 6th year of Reiwa <\/span>(2024). 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

\"\"<\/p>\n

Registration Number : <\/span>Osaka 11483<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Board of Education in Osaka prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword. It is called Jyu Token Rui Torokusho (\u9283\u5200\u5263\u985e\u767b\u9332\u8a3c). Bunkacho (The Agency for Cultural Affairs) acknowledges a Japanese sword with this paper as a work of art.
\nThe 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.
\nThis 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
\n—————————————————————–<\/p>\n

\u3010About us\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u00a0Samurai 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

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u3010Japanese Sword& Export Process<\/strong>\u3011<\/span>
\n\u00a0The 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 700 Japanese swords for the past few years (\uff5e2024) to amazing owners who appreciate its historical value.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Each 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.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0To 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

\u00a0It is allo<\/span>wed 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>
\nWe accept payment through Stripe <\/strong>(Credit card), PayPal<\/strong>, 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 <\/strong>or GBP<\/strong>. The price is set in Japanese Yen. Prices in other currencies are automatically calculated based on the latest exchange rate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

* If the amount is above 1 million JPY, Stripe or wire transfer will be the only options for payment.<\/p>\n

\u3010Shipping\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0We have shipped authentic Japanese swords to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia<\/a><\/span><\/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 EMS.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0We normally ship by EMS<\/strong>(Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. <\/span>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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0It 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

* If you live in Australia and like to purchase an authentic Japanese sword, please click here<\/span><\/span> <\/a>to know the detail.<\/strong><\/p>\n

* If you live in the UK and like to purchase an authentic Japanese sword, please contact us first and click here<\/span><\/span> <\/a>to know the detail.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u3010Review\u3011<\/strong>
\n\u00a0Here is o<\/span>ne of the reviews we received from a customer who purchased an authentic Japanese sword from us. For more reviews, please click here.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>
\n\u201cMy 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3010How to make sure the condition\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0Please 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

\u3010How To Contact Us\u3011<\/strong>
\n\u00a0Please 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 w<\/span>ebsite. Please click one of them to reach us. We will reply to you within 1-2 business days.<\/p>\n

\u3010The Art of Nihonto (Japanese Sword)<\/strong>\u3011
\n\u00a0Samurai’s history is a profound, eloquent legacy of ancient Japanese warriors in which millions of people worldwide are being fascinated. If y<\/span>ou 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\u00a0After 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.<\/span><\/p>\n