{"id":69290,"date":"2025-05-31T10:53:57","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T01:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=69290"},"modified":"2025-09-10T11:18:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T02:18:56","slug":"antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-nagasone-okisato-nbthk-koshu-tokubetsu-kicho-certificate","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/product\/antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-nagasone-okisato-nbthk-koshu-tokubetsu-kicho-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Nagasone Okisato
NBTHK Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Nagasone Okisato with NBTHK Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

Nagasone Okisato<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0This blade was signed by Nagasone Okisato Ny\u016bd\u014d Kotetsu (\u9577\u66fd\u7962\u8208\u91cc\u5165\u9053\u4e55\u5fb9), commonly known as Kotetsu, one of the most celebrated swordsmiths of the early Edo period. He was actively forging swords for approximately 20 years, roughly between the Meireki and Enp\u014d eras (circa 1655\u20131675), which corresponds to the mid-17th century.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Okisato, the first-gen Kotetsu, was born in Omi province (today\u2019s Shiga prefecture), which was ruled by Ishida Mitsunari (\u77f3\u7530\u4e09\u6210), a famous warrior. When Ishida Mitsunari defeated in the Sekigahara-no Tatakai (\u95a2\u30f6\u539f\u306e\u6226\u3044, Battle of Sekigahara), the first-gen Kotestsu moved to Echizen province (today\u2019s Fukui prefecture). Then, he was active as a famous armorer there. Later, he became a swordsmith around the age of 50 and moved to Edo (today\u2019s Tokyo). It is said that his masters were Ise Daijo Tsunahiro (\u4f0a\u52e2\u5927\u63be\u7db1\u5ee3) and Izumi no Kami Kaneshige (\u548c\u6cc9\u5b88\u517c\u91cd), both of whom were also renowned swordsmiths in the early Edo period. Okisato also became a renowned swordsmith in Edo.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0Okisato first signed Nagasone Okisato (\u9577\u66fd\u7962\u8208\u91cc) on his blades, but after entering Buddhism, he began to use the inscription Kotetsu. The sharpness of his blades and his sword-forging technique were considered so excellent that he was called the Yokozuna of SHINTO: Yokozuna originally refers to the highest rank wrestler in the sport of Sumo, and SHINTO refers to swords made during the late Azuchi Momoyama \u2013 mid Edo period (1596-1793). It is said that his swords were very popular and expensive at that time. In addition, his swords are recognized as Saijo O Wazamono, which is a term for a sword with the highest rated cutting ability. One unique feature of Kotetsu\u2019s work is that he used three different kanji spellings for \u201cKotetsu\u201d over the course of his career: \u53e4\u5fb9 (earliest), \u864e\u5fb9 (standard, known as \u201cHanetora\u201d), and \u4e55\u5fb9 (later, known as \u201cHakotora\u201d). <\/span><\/p>\n

Nagasone Okimasa<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0His son, Okisamasa, is also a highly regarded swordsmith.\u00a0 Okimasa, the second-gen Kotestu, is said to have been Okisato\u2019s assistant as an armorer in Echizen province, and they are considered to have moved to Edo together. Then he was adopted and succeeded to the second-gen Kotetsu. It is said that the second-gen Kotestu forged swords as a substitute for the first-gen Kotesu due to his high level of skills. The sharpness of his blades is also excellent, and like the first-gen Kotesu, they are recognized as Saijo O Wazamono.<\/span><\/p>\n

*Please keep in mind that there are a tiny Kitae Kizu on the Shinogiji (the opposite side of the cutting edge)\u00a0 as well as small black rust on the Mune (backbone of this blade). If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u3010Blade\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\nCutting Edge Length(Nagasa)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a54.5 cm (21.4\u00a0 inches)<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/span>Curvature(Sori)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a1.4 cm (0.55 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(Jihada)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a
\nvisible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

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

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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

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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

\u00a0 The fuchi-kashira\u00a0features the same cherry blossom and flowing water motif as the k\u014dgai described later. Cherry blossoms are a symbolic flower of spring in Japan and have been cherished for centuries. Their motif is not only used in sword mountings but also widely appears in kimono (traditional Japanese clothing) and interior furnishings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0According to one theory, a deity of agriculture is believed to dwell within cherry blossoms. For this reason, the pattern has come to represent wishes for a rich harvest. In ancient times, people would gather beneath cherry blossom trees to perform rituals and pray for a bountiful farming year\u2014a practice said to be the origin of today’s hanami (\u82b1\u898b, cherry blossom viewing) picnics.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nTsuka and Menuki<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aTsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.<\/b><\/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

This tsuba is in the shape known as mokko-gata, which resembles the cross-section of a gourd (\u6728\u74dc, mokko), a plant from the gourd family. The mokko shape has been favored since ancient times in Japan, as it symbolizes prosperity and fertility. This is because the gourd bears many fruits and its shape is also said to resemble a bird\u2019s nest, representing hopes for the prosperity of future generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kougai<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aKougai is the equipment for Samurai to arrange or fix his hair style.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0This item is an antique Kougai (\u7b04), which was used to arrange or fix the hairstyle of Samurai. The Kougai is usually stored in the Kougai Hitsu. The Kozuka (\u5c0f\u67c4) is often stored at the other side of the scabbard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0This k\u014dgai features a design of cherry blossoms alongside a ry\u016bsui mon(\u6d41\u6c34\u7d0b, flowing water pattern) motif. The ry\u016bsui pattern is one of Japan\u2019s traditional decorative motifs, characterized by elegant, flowing curves that represent running water. In Japanese culture, flowing water symbolizes purity and continuous renewal. This is reflected in the old proverb \u201crunning water never decays,\u201d which emphasizes the idea that constant movement brings cleanliness and vitality.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The motif is often associated with purification, protection from evil, and the wish for long-lasting family fortune. While the flowing water pattern alone is typically linked to summer, when combined with seasonal elements such as cherry blossoms or autumn leaves, it represents the changing beauty of the four seasons and the appreciation of nature throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0This scabbard is covered with black lacquer. Due to its high waterproof effect, lacquer has been used since ancient times in Asia. The blade of a Japanese sword is made of iron, and moisture is the greatest enemy of iron. For the purpose of carrying the blade without degrading it, people devised a method of coating the scabbard with lacquer. To prevent not only moisture but also rain and snow from penetrating the inside of the scabbard, it was necessary to apply multiple layers of lacquer. The Nushi (\u5857\u5e2b, lacquerers) was born precisely because advanced techniques were required to handle the complicated processes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Authentication Paper<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aNBTHK Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate for the blade (No.3319)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

NBTHK<\/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 February 23rd in the 50th year of Showa (1975). They appraised it as a Koshu Tokubetsu Kiho Touken, an old form of the certificate. The purchaser will receive the <\/span><\/p>\n

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Registration Number : <\/span>Kagawa 22098<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Board of Education in Kagawa prefecture 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.
\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

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\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

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\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 1000 Japanese swords for the past few years (\uff5e2025) 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

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* 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, 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

\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

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\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