{"id":73295,"date":"2025-08-10T11:15:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T02:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=73295"},"modified":"2025-08-29T10:16:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T01:16:09","slug":"antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-shigeyoshinbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/product\/antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-shigeyoshinbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Shigeyoshi
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon<\/strong> <\/span>Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

\u00a0This Wakizashi bears the signature Bushu-j\u016b Shigeyoshi (\u6b66\u5dde\u4f4f\u91cd\u5409). Bushu refers to the historical Musashi Province, which corresponds to modern-day Tokyo and parts of Saitama. Shigeyoshi is the swordsmith\u2019s name, indicating that this blade was forged by him while residing in Musashi. Shigeyoshi was active during the Early-Mid Edo period (Early-Mid 17th century) and is associated with the Bushu Shitahara tradition (\u4e0b\u539f\u6d3e).<\/span><\/p>\n

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About the Shitahara School<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Shitahara school (Shitahara-ha, \u4e0b\u539f\u6d3e) originated in the late Muromachi period in Musashi Province. The swordsmiths of this school initially worked under the powerful H\u014dj\u014d clan, a dominant feudal family in the Kant\u014d region. After the H\u014dj\u014d were defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late 16th century, the Shitahara smiths entered the service of the Tokugawa shogunate as Okakae Kaji\u2014exclusive swordsmiths dedicated to a specific feudal lord or domain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Most Shitahara swordsmiths bore the family name Yamamoto. They were particularly active from the late Muromachi through the early Edo periods, producing swords for the Tokugawa until the very end of the Edo era. The Hiroshige lineage was among the most famous within this group, but other smiths, including Shigeyoshi, contributed to the school\u2019s reputation for crafting robust and practical swords suited to the needs of working samurai.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\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

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*Please keep in mind that there are a few Kitae Kizu on this blade.\u00a0 If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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\u3010Blade\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\nCutting Edge Length (Nagasa)<\/strong>:58.8<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0cm (23.1inches)<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\nCurvature (Sori)<\/strong>: 1.8\u00a0 cm (0.70 inches) <\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Hamon<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/span>
\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

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

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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

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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>
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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

\u00a0The fuchi-kashira motif is likely matsuba chirashi<\/em> (\u677e\u8449\u6563\u3089\u3057, scattered pine needles) rendered in fine gold inlay.\u00a0Pine needles have long been regarded as auspicious symbols, as even when they wither, fall from the tree, or break, the two halves remain together. For this reason, the design has been cherished as a kissh\u014d mony\u014d<\/em> (\u5409\u7965\u6587\u69d8, auspicious motif) symbolizing strong bonds and inseparable ties, and has traditionally been used in decorative arts and sword fittings to convey wishes for longevity, unwavering friendship and love, and harmony between husband and wife.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tsuka and Menuki<\/strong><\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0The motif of this menuki is the Kara-jishi (\u5510\u7345\u5b50), a mythological lion in Japanese art. The Kara-jishi design originated from Chinese imagery. Although lions never lived in Japan, their image and symbolic meaning were introduced via China and the Korean Peninsula through Buddhist art, where they became symbols of strength, protection, and good fortune.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0In Japan, the motif developed its own distinct style, appearing in the ornamentation of shrines and temples, folding screen paintings, lacquerware, and sword fittings. It is characterized by a dignified physique, a luxuriant, curling mane, and a lively, dynamic posture.\u00a0Symbolically, the Kara-jishi is believed to ward off evil spirits, protect its owner, and bring good fortune. For these reasons, it became one of the most popular motifs for sword fittings during the Edo period.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tsuba 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

\u00a0This tsuba design is a round iron openwork, with cloud-shaped cutouts creating a subtle and airy pattern. The warm, rustic texture of the iron is accented by a gilt rim that frames the piece and gives it a refined finish. Delicate surface carving further enriches its understated elegance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Saya<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Authentication Paper<\/strong>: <\/span>NBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 1023796)<\/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 December 4th in the 6th year of Reiwa (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><\/span> for your record if you request.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Registration Number<\/span><\/strong>:\u00a0<\/span> Niigata 41108<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Board of Education in Niigata 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.
\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

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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.
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\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, UK, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Hong Kong UK<\/a>, <\/span><\/span>and Australia<\/span><\/a><\/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

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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