{"id":78508,"date":"2025-11-09T10:58:41","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T01:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=78508"},"modified":"2025-11-14T20:56:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T11:56:05","slug":"antique-japanese-sword-tachi-signed-by-moritsugu-nbthk-juyo-token-certificate","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/product\/antique-japanese-sword-tachi-signed-by-moritsugu-nbthk-juyo-token-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Japanese Sword Tachi Signed by Moritsugu
NBTHK JUYO TOKEN<\/strong><\/span> Certificate<\/span>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antique Japanese Sword Tachi signed by Moritsugu\u00a0w<\/span><\/span><\/span>ith NBTHK<\/span> JUYO TOKEN<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Certificate<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0This blade is signed by Moritsugu (\u76db\u6b21), a swordsmith belonging to the prestigious Aoe school (\u9752\u6c5f\u6d3e). There were five known smiths who bore the name Moritsugu, ranging from the Ko-Aoe period to the early Muromachi era (\u014cei period, 1394\u20131428). Based on the workmanship of this blade, it is believed to have been forged by a smith of the Yoshitsugu group (\u5409\u6b21\u9580) around the Sh\u014dkei era (\u6b63\u6176, 1332\u20131334).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Bitch\u016b province (today\u2019s western Okayama Prefecture) has long been known as one of Japan\u2019s leading iron-producing regions, naturally giving rise to numerous outstanding swordsmiths. Among them, the Aoe school became the mainstream lineage. The school originated in the late Heian period and reached its peak from the late Kamakura through the Nanbokuch\u014d period. In Japanese sword terminology, Aoe works are classified into three periods: Ko-Aoe (Old Aoe): Late Heian to early Kamakura, Ch\u016b-Aoe (Middle Aoe): Mid-Kamakura to early Nanbokuch\u014d and Sue-Aoe (Late Aoe): Late Nanbokuch\u014d and onward.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The founder of the school is said to be Yasutsugu (\u5b89\u6b21), active in the late Heian period in what is now Kurashiki City. Another famous swordsmith family in Bitch\u016b was the Seno school, founded by Noritaka (\u5247\u9ad8).<\/span>
Among the Aoe smiths, Moritsugu was particularly distinguished\u2014he trained Sadatsugu, Tsuguie, and Tsunetsugu, who later became renowned as part of the Gobankaji (\u5fa1\u756a\u935b\u51b6), the twelve master swordsmiths selected by Emperor Go-Toba (\u5f8c\u9ce5\u7fbd\u4e0a\u7687). The emperor, passionate about the art of sword forging, ordered one swordsmith each month to craft a blade for him, a system unique in Japanese history.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Bitch\u016b region, situated near the Ch\u016bgoku Mountains, offered ideal conditions for swordmaking\u2014abundant iron sand, plentiful water sources, and easy access to charcoal via the Takahashi River. This environment allowed the Aoe smiths to produce blades of exceptional purity and quality.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tachi<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Based on\u00a0 its characteristics, NBTHK judged it as a Tachi. Tachi was mainly used by an armored Samurai with one hand on horseback from the Heian period (794-1185 A.D.) until the early Muromachi period. TACHI was suspended loosely on the left waist with its edge facing the ground so that you could draw it faster to cut down soldiers on the ground.<\/p>\n

Appraisal<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This blade is appraised as a JUYO TOKEN <\/strong><\/span><\/span>(\u91cd\u8981\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, exceptionally well preserved and of high quality with artistic value. JUYO is one rank higher than Tokubetsu Hozon. To be eligible for a Juyo Token, it needs to be appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token first. It is extremely rare for an antique Japanese sword to be appraised as JUYO TOKEN, and it is highly desirable among Japanese sword collectors.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u3010Blade\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\nCutting Edge Length(Nagasa)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a72.6 cm (28.5 inches)<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/span>Curvature(Sori)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a2.2<\/strong> cm (0.86 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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Kissaki\uff1a<\/span><\/strong><\/span>Kissaki is the tip\u00a0of the Japanese sword.<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/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\uff1aKoshirae 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>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Fuchi-Kashira are decorated with the Mitsuba Aoi (\u4e09\u3064\u8449\u8475\u7d0b, three hollyhock leaves) crest. The surface is finished in the Nanako-ji (\u9b5a\u3005\u5b50\u5730) technique, in which tiny circular grains are evenly punched to create a fine textured background.<\/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

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

\u00a0The theme of this Menuki is a Mitsuba-Aoi-no Mon (\u8475\u5df4\/\u4e09\u3064\u8449\u8475\u306e\u7d0b).\u00a0This family crest consists of three hollyhock leaves arranged in a circle with their heads together. And the petiole is curved to the left side. This crest is known as the family crest of Tokugawa Shogunate family led by Tokugawa Ieyasu, a famous military commander of the Warring States period. This plant pattern has also been used for the crest of the Kamo shrine in Kyoto prefecture. As mentioned above, the famous Shogunate family, the Tokugawa family, had their family crest with three leaves of Aoi due to the relationship with the Kamo shrine. As its leaves have a habit of always facing the sun, and the word \u201cAoi\u201d is taken as \u201cAogu (\u4ef0\u3050, looking up)\u201d for the sun, people thought the Aoi pattern would bring good fortune.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tsuba 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

\u00a0This Tsuba also features an Aoi (\u8475, hollyhock) design combined with crab (\u87f9, kani )motifs, creating a distinctive and elegant composition. As crabs walk sideways, they were compared \u201cOukou Kunshi (\u6a2a\u884c\u541b\u5b50),\u201d which means to stick to one\u2019s intention against authority. Samurais might have felt the strong will that they would not bow before power from this motif.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kozuka<\/span><\/strong>\uff1aKozuka is a small knife stored in Kozuka Hitsu(groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword).<\/b><\/p>\n

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

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Saya<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aSaya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Authentication Paper<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aNBTHK JUYO TOKEN Certificate for the blade (No. 9035)<\/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 September 12th in the 3rd year of Heisei (1991). They appraised it as JUYO TOKEN, the blade exceptionally 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>: Ehime 12656<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Board of Education in Ehime 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.<\/span>
\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.<\/span>
\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><\/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 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>
\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