Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi<\/span> with NBTHK Tokubetsu<\/span> Hozon<\/span> Certificate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u3010Description\u3011<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0This blade was signed by Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi (\u9678\u5965\u5b88\u5fe0\u5409), also known as the third-gen Tadayoshi. He was especially active during the Manji-Kanbun era (1658-1673: Early Edo period). He was the son of Omi Daijo Tadahiro (\u8fd1\u6c5f\u5927\u63be\u5fe0\u5e83). The maker\u2019s name, Tadayoshi, lasted nine generations from the early to late Edo period.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0He received Mutsu Daijo title in the third year of the Manji era (1660) and got promoted to Mutsu no Kami in the first year of the Kanbun era (1661). Kami and Daisho are honorable official titles given by the imperial court for one\u2019s excellent craftsmanship. There are not many remaining works created by the third-gen Tadayoshi because it is said that he often did a Daisaku for his father, Tadahiro. Daisaku is a regular act where an apprentice or a child of the swordsmith signed his master\u2019s name with his master\u2019s permission or forged a blade on behalf of the master. The third-gen Tadayoshi died at the age of 50.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The third-gen Tadayoshi is also known for forging very sharp swords, which made him and his work classified as Saijo Owazamono Toko( \u826f\u696d\u7269\u5200\u5de5). Wazamono is a classification of Japanese swords and swordsmiths used in Japan to identify historic blades of exceptional quality in the book written by Kaiho Kenjaku ( \u61d0\u5b9d\u5263\u5c3a ) in 1797. He is categorized as a top-tier sword maker in terms of fame and craftsmanship.<\/span><\/p>\n The first-gen Tadayoshi (His grandfather)<\/strong><\/p>\n The first-gen Tadayoshi was born and raised in the Saga domain. In 1596, under the domain\u2019s order, he went to Kyoto to learn the sword-forging technique from Umetada Myojyu(\u57cb\u5fe0\u660e\u5bff), one of the greatest swordsmiths in the early Edo period. He improved his craftsmanship and returned to the Saga domain two years later (1598). The first head of the Nabeshima clan, Nabeshima Katsushige, appreciated the work of the first-gen Tadayoshi very much. Then, Katsushige appointed him as his Okakaekaji, a swordsmith who exclusively forged swords for a specific domain or clan. And Tadayoshi started to stay near Saga castle, which is the headquarter of the Nabeshima clan. And, he founded Hizen Tadayoshi school, which trained more than 100 swordsmiths during the Edo period.\u00a0 Tadahiro is one of them.<\/span><\/p>\n Omi Daijo Tadahiro (His father)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Tadahiro took over the school his father ran when he was only 19 years old, and he started to make a sword in the same year. This fact indicates that he was excellent at making swords, and the apprentices of his father(Tadayoshi) supported him to run the school. Tadahiro received the title of Omi Daijyo in 1641 (the sixth year of the Genroku era). He kept forging swords for almost 60 years for the Nabeshima clan, strong feudal lords.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Tadahiro died at the age of 81 in 1693 and left a large number of excellent swords before his decease. He had many famous apprentices, such as the third-gen Mutsu Daijyo Tadayoshi, Harima Daijyo Tadakuni, and Kawachi Daijyo Masahiro.<\/span><\/p>\n Hizen Province<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0The swordsmiths in the Hizen province worked under the auspices of the Nabeshima clan like Tadayoshi. They could produce beautiful Jigane-patterned blades, also known as Hizen To, using and mixing carbon steel made in western countries. Hizenkoku had been flourishing by international trading. The geographic location of this domain made it possible to have easy access to western carbon steel.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0It 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.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n *Please keep in mind that there are a couple of Kitae Kizu on this blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u3010Blade\u3011<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n Hamon<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/span> Kissaki<\/strong>: <\/span>Kissaki is the tip\u00a0of the Japanese sword.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Nakago<\/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 Koshirae<\/strong>\uff1a<\/span>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 Fuchi-Kashira<\/strong>:<\/span>A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tsuka and Menuki<\/strong>: <\/span>Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0This menuki appears to feature a dragon (\u9f8d, ry\u016b) as its motif. Dragons are highly significant mythical creatures in the cultures of East Asia, including Japan and China. <\/span>In Japan, as in China, dragons are depicted with long, serpentine bodies, horns, whiskers, and scales. They are known as beings that control water and clouds. Unlike the fire-breathing dragons of Western mythology, East Asian dragons are often regarded as water deities, heavenly messengers, or symbols of imperial authority. They are auspicious symbols representing strength, wisdom, and protection.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0This tsuba\u00a0is in the form of a “Hamidashi-tsuba(\u55b0\u51fa\u9414),” a small-sized guard that extends only slightly beyond the seppa (\u5207\u7fbd, metal spacers on either side of the tsuba). Hamidashi-tsuba are known for their compact and lightweight design, often used with smaller swords or mounts that emphasize elegance and decoration. Its modest size contributes to the overall balance and refined aesthetics of the sword.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span> Kozuka : <\/strong><\/span>Kozuka is a small knife stored in Kozuka Hitsu(groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword).<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>This kozuka design depicts a Karajishi (\u5510\u7345\u5b50) and peony flowers (\u7261\u4e39). The Karajishi is a mythical lion introduced from China during the Tang dynasty and is a common motif in traditional Japanese art. Unlike natural lions, the Karajishi is stylized with curly hair on its mane, body, and tail, giving it a majestic and mystical appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0In Buddhist symbolism, the Karajishi represents wisdom and divine protection. It is often shown alongside Monju Bosatsu (\u6587\u6b8a\u83e9\u85a9, Manjushri Bodhisattva), the deity of wisdom, who rides a lion.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The peony, on the other hand, is a flower traditionally associated with nobility, prosperity, and beauty. In a well-known Buddhist parable, even the mighty lion fears a small parasite that lives in its own fur. This pest can only be destroyed by the dew of a peony flower. As a result, the lion rests beneath peony blossoms at night for protection.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Together, the Karajishi and peony form a powerful and poetic symbol: strength guarded by wisdom and beauty. This motif expresses both the fierceness of the warrior spirit and the gentle wisdom needed to guide it. The inclusion of such imagery on a kozuka adds not only aesthetic appeal but also deep cultural and spiritual meaning.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kougai<\/span><\/strong>\uff1aKougai is the equipment for Samurai to arrange or fix his hair style.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0The k\u014dgai is a traditional Japanese hair ornament that was also used as a decorative accessory in samurai sword fittings. It is typically inserted into the scabbard alongside the kozuka. Many k\u014dgai feature elegant designs that reflect nature, seasons, or symbolic motifs.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0This particular k\u014dgai design shows a waterfowl, most likely a duck (\u9d28, kamo). Among the many types of water birds found in Japan, ducks are the most familiar and commonly seen. They appear frequently in rivers, lakes, rice fields, and even urban parks throughout the country, especially during the autumn and winter months when migratory species arrive.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0In Japanese culture, ducks are often associated with seasonal beauty, tranquility, and the changing of nature. They also symbolize fidelity, as many duck species form strong pair bonds. Because of this, ducks are sometimes used in art to represent harmony and peaceful companionship.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Saya<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n This kind of pattern on the Saya is called Tsuruashi Pattern (\u9db4\u8db3\u6a21\u69d8). The name means “crane’s foot” becuase the design resembles the shape of the crane’s footprint. It was made by a special lacquer technique.<\/span> Authentication Paper<\/strong>: <\/span>NBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 1001695 )<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\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 January 31st in the 26th year of Heisei (2014). 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><\/span> for your record if you request.<\/span><\/p>\n Registration Number<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0<\/span> Fukuoka 6594<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The Board of Education in Tokyo issued a registration paper for this sword . It is called Jyu Hou Token Rui Tourokusho (\u9283\u7832\u5200\u5263\u985e\u767b\u9332\u8a3c). Bunkacho (The Agency for Cultural Affairs) acknowledges a Japanese sword with this paper as a work of art. <\/p>\n \u3010About us\u3011<\/span><\/strong> \u3010Japanese Sword& Export Process<\/strong>\u3011<\/span> \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. \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> * 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> \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 \u3010Review\u3011<\/strong> \u3010How to make sure the condition\u3011<\/strong><\/span> \u3010How To Contact Us\u3011<\/strong> \u3010The Art of Nihonto (Japanese Sword)<\/strong>\u3011 \u3010A Guide to Japanese Sword Maintenance<\/strong>\u3011<\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/hizen_OCMOJ_0802.jpg\")
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\nCutting Edge Length (Nagasa)<\/strong>: 49.6\u00a0 cm (19.5 inches)<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nCurvature (Sori)<\/strong>: 0.90 cm (0.35 inches)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/393e78a52df19dc9960a26d5dae44698-2-scaled.jpg\")
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\nThe crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process.<\/strong><\/span>
\nJimon(Jihada)<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0<\/span>
\nvisible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/e4115684b98b182ed14efaae360d87dc-2.jpg\")
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\nTsuba and Habaki<\/strong>: <\/span>Tsuba 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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/6dcaf29dda84f573334d44b3402e18a0-2-scaled.jpg\")
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\n\u00a0The 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.
\n\u00a0This 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><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ed57b66bff501d29fbe2ce96aedac913-1-scaled.jpg\")
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\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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/5623eabfdde4147c0ecdc704028c6ecd.jpg\")
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\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 1000 Japanese swords for the past few years (\uff5e2025) to amazing owners who appreciate its historical value.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/SSL_payment_1222-01-1.jpg\")
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\n\u00a0We have shipped authentic Japanese swords to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany , Belgium, France, Finland, UK<\/a>, <\/span><\/span>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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/48026a8af882b8fafae180fa48fbd5f4.jpg\")
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\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
\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
\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
\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
\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