Antique Japanese Sword Tanto Attributed to Nioh with <\/span>Tokubetsu Hozon<\/span> <\/span>Certificate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u3010Description\u3011<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0This blade is attributed to Nioh (\u4e8c\u738b). Although the authentication paper doesn\u2019t mention when it was approximately made, we contacted NBTHK to confirm the detail of the attribution. They believe it was created during the late Kamakura period (about 700 years old) based on the blade\u2019s characteristics. Nioh is the group of swordsmiths (school) that flourished from the mid-Kamakura period to the late Muromachi period (500-750 years ago) and lasted until the Edo period(150\u2014400 years ago).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The school was founded by Nioh Taro Kiyotsuna (\u4e8c\u738b\u592a\u90ce\u6e05\u7db1) in Suo Province(today\u2019s Yamaguchi prefecture). According to his remaining work, the oldest blade was forged in 1265. It is currently enshrined in Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima. It is said that he started to forge swords in around 1205(early Kamakura period). The Nioh swordsmiths inherited the part of its founder\u2019s name \u6e05(Kiyo) such as \u6e05\u623f(Kiyofusa), \u6e05\u9577(Kiyonaga).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0There were a lot of lands in Suo Province controlled by the Todaiji temple in the Kamakura-Muromachi period. It is said that Nioh school and Yamato swordsmiths from Nara prefecture had a strong relationship and technological exchange. That is why the blades forged by Nioh swordsmiths had a strong influence from YAMATO-DEN.<\/span> \u00a0The name Nioh came from the legend that the Tachi blade forged by Kiyotsuna(the founder of Nioh school) was able to save the Nioh statue by cutting the chain connected to it when Nioh temple was on fire.<\/span> <\/p>\n What is Tanto?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Japanese swords under the blade length of 30cm (11.6 inches) are generally called TANTO, and sometimes TSUBA(\u9354; Hand-Guard) is not attached to the TANTO. It was easy to carry and convenient for close combats.\u00a0\u00a0It was initially used as a supplemental weapon for Samurai on horseback, who used a pole weapon or long sword in the Kamaura-Muromachi period. Samurai aimed at an unprotected area of his enemy\u2019s armor with Tanto while having to fight with close distance.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0TANTO was named accordingly, depending on how you carry it, such as HUTOKORO-GATANA (\u61d0\u5200; Stomach-Sword) or KOSHI-GATANA(\u8170\u5200; Waist-Sword) or elsewise. TANTO was also a gift for a bride from her family in a traditional Japanese wedding, as it is believed that TANTO would be divine protection from evil power.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/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 note that there are a couple of Kitae Kizu on the blade. If you like to see the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u3010Blade\u3011<\/span><\/strong> Hamon<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/span><\/span> Kissaki<\/strong>: <\/span>Kissaki is the tip\u00a0of the Japanese sword.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The shape of this tip is called Shobu Zukuri (\u83d6\u84b2\u9020\u308a).<\/p>\n Nakago<\/strong><\/span>: Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Koshirae<\/strong>:<\/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 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fuchi-Kashira<\/strong>: A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 The theme of this Fuchi-Kashira is a dragon (\u9f8d, Ryu). Initially, the dragon is an imaginary creature found in ancient Chinese traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is regarded as a symbolic beast of auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, belly is Mizuchi (\u86df, mythical animal in Japan which looks like a snake and have a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers, and ears are cows. It was thought that the dragon would reign at the top of all animals because of its odd-looking appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0In ancient China, the dragon pattern was used for emperors\u2019 clothing so that people strictly defined its shape or even the number of nails. On the other hand, the dragon pattern does not have detailed rules to represent classes in Japan. However, still, it maintains its meaning as the all-purpose auspicious pattern.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Also, in Japan, there is a belief that worships dragon as a water god and is called Ryujin Shinkou (\u7adc\u795e\u4fe1\u4ef0). Since rice cultivation flourished in this country, water is always an essential resource. Therefore, the dragon motif has been familiar to Japanese people since a long time ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The motif of this menuki is a pair of komainu (\u72db\u72ac, guardian lion-dogs). These animal-shaped statues are typically placed in pairs along the approach to a Shinto shrine, either facing each other across the path or positioned as if watching over the shrine itself.<\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tsuba and Habaki<\/strong><\/strong>\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<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0This tsuba features a refined yet simple design, with gold inlay work applied on a stone-textured surface.<\/span><\/p>\n Kozuka<\/strong>:\u00a0Kozuka is a small knife stored in Kozuka Hitsu(groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword).<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0The design of this Kozuka depicts a bow and arrow (yumi-ya<\/em>, \u5f13\u77e2), once one of the primary traditional weapons of the samurai. In addition to its role in warfare, the\u00a0yumi-ya<\/em>\u00a0was believed to have the power to drive away evil spirits from the home. During the Edo period, miniature bows and arrows were often given to baby boys as their first New Year\u2019s gift, symbolizing the wish that they would grow up to become honorable and courageous samurai warriors.<\/span><\/p>\n Kougai<\/strong><\/strong>\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 Kougai depicts the haiden (\u62dd\u6bbf, worship hall) of a Shinto shrine. The haiden is the building located in front of the honden (main sanctuary), where worshippers offer prayers to the deity. Under the central roof, you can see a rope-like ornament, which is called a shimenawa (\u3057\u3081\u7e04). A shimenawa is a sacred rope that serves as a boundary, marking off the divine space from the everyday, secular world.<\/span><\/p>\n Saya<\/strong>: <\/span>Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0The Saya has a surface with a constant width notched pattern like an Inro (\u5370\u7c60, traditional Japanese case to store small objects) in the circumferential direction. This type of Saya is categorized as the Inro Kizami Zaya (\u5370\u7c60\u523b\u9798).<\/span><\/p>\n *Please keep in mind that there is minor crack on this lacquered Saya due to its aging.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Authentication Paper<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aNBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 1011488)<\/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 August 26th in the 1st year of Reiwa (2019). 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>Mie 18203<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0The Board of Education in Mie 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. <\/p>\n —————————————————————–<\/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 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.<\/span><\/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\/2025\/02\/choshu_OCMOJ_20250210.jpg\")
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\n*Todaiji temple is located in Nara prefecture. Before the Edo period, temples and shrines gained strong political influence.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nAnother theory was that Nioh swordsmiths lived in a village called Nioh no Sho(\u4e8c\u4fdd\u5e84) and started to call themselves Nioh swordsmiths.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nCutting Edge Length (Nagasa)<\/span>: 26.6 cm (10.47 inches)<\/strong><\/span>
\nCurvature (Sori)<\/b>: 0.0 <\/strong>cm (0.0 inches)\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/393e78a52df19dc9960a26d5dae44698-12-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>
\nJimon (Jihada)<\/span><\/strong>:<\/span>
\nVisible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/mie_katana2.jpg\")
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\nTsuka and Menuki<\/strong>: Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0Komainu are believed to ward off evil spirits and are set as protective guardians of the deities enshrined there. If you look closely, you will notice that one has its mouth open while the other keeps it closed. This represents the concept of A-un (\u963f\u543d\u3001\u201cAh\u201d and \u201cUn\u201d), symbolizing the beginning and the end of all things. Interestingly, the swordsmith of this blade signed as \u201cNio,\u201d which refers to the fierce guardian statues standing at Buddhist temple gates\u2014figures that also embody this same A-un symbolism.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2b6734b484996edbed0a8a72ee3a1b9b-11-scaled.jpg\")
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\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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4e7d45c31a5ad1489d4d278276eb356a-11-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