{"id":78570,"date":"2025-11-09T16:04:41","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T07:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=78570"},"modified":"2026-03-16T12:01:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T03:01:49","slug":"antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-masanaganbthk-tokubetsu-kichou-certificate","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.samuraimuseum.jp\/shop\/product\/antique-japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-masanaganbthk-tokubetsu-kichou-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Masanaga
NBTHK Tokubetsu Kichou Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Masanaga with Tokubetsu Kichou\u00a0Certificate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u00a0This sword was forged in Hizen Province (present-day Saga Prefecture) by the swordsmith Masanaga (\u6b63\u6c38), who was later known as the first-generation Masahiro (\u6b63\u5e83). He also signed as Kawachi Daij\u014d Fujiwara Masahiro (\u6cb3\u5185\u5927\u63be\u85e4\u539f\u6b63\u5e83) and was the grandson of Tadayoshi (\u5fe0\u5409), the founder of the renowned Hizen Tadayoshi school.<\/p>\n

\u00a0In his early career, he signed his blades as \u201cMasanaga,\u201d and in 1625 (the 2nd year of Kan\u2019ei), he changed his name to \u201cMasahiro.\u201d Among the swordsmiths of Hizen, Masanaga (Masahiro) was considered one of the most skilled masters outside the main Tadayoshi line, often referred to as Waki-Hizen (\u201cbranch Hizen\u201d).\u00a0\u00a0He gained the deep trust of Nabeshima Katsushige, the lord of the Saga domain, and was appointed as an Okakae Kaji (official retainer swordsmith)\u2014a highly prestigious position granted only to the most accomplished smiths. It is even said that his craftsmanship was so refined that he occasionally forged swords on behalf of his grandfather, Tadayoshi.<\/p>\n

Blades produced in Hizen are collectively known as Hizen-to (Hizen swords) and are highly esteemed for their beautiful jigane (steel texture) and elegant, well-balanced hamon (tempering pattern).\u00a0The name \u201cMasahiro\u201d was carried on through successive generations during the Edo period.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The fifth-generation Masahiro\u2019s real name was Sadenjiro (\u5de6\u4f1d\u6b21\u90ce). He initially signed his works as \u201cMasanaga,\u201d but in 1750 (the 3rd year of Kan\u2019en), he was granted the honorary title Kawachi no Kami (\u6cb3\u5185\u5b88) and thereafter signed as \u201cMasahiro.\u201d He inherited the advanced forging techniques passed down through his lineage and refined them further, creating blades that combined graceful beauty and excellent cutting performance.<\/p>\n

During the Edo period, Hizen Province prospered through international trade under the patronage of the Nabeshima clan.
Local swordsmiths incorporated imported Western iron and steel, developing innovative forging methods.
Thanks to this geographical advantage and access to foreign materials, Hizen swords became famous for their exceptionally beautiful and refined jigane patterns, a hallmark of Hizen craftsmanship.<\/p>\n

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\u3010Blade\u3011<\/span><\/strong>
\nCutting Edge Length (Nagasa)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a38.6 cm (15.1 inches)<\/strong><\/span>
\nCurvature (Sori)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a0.8 cm (0.31 inches) <\/strong>\u00a0<\/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><\/span>
\nJimon(Jihada)<\/span><\/strong>\uff1a
\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>\uff1aNakago 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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Habaki<\/span><\/strong>\uff1aHabaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped<\/strong> \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Authentication Paper<\/strong><\/span>\uff1aNBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate for the blade (No. 247656)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\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 6th in the 47th year of Showa (1972). They appraised it as Tokubetsu Kicho Touken, an old form of the certificate. 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\uff1a<\/span><\/span>Kanagawa 51474<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The Board of Education in Kanagawa prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword. It is called Jyu Ho Token Rui Torokusho (\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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\u3010Review\u3011<\/strong>
\n\u00a0Here is one of the reviews we received from a customer who purchased an authentic Japanese sword from us.<\/span> 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

\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 700 Japanese swords for the past few years (\uff5e2024) 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 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3010Shipping\u3011<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u00a0We have shipped authentic Japanese swords to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Hong Kong and<\/span> 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. 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<\/span> here<\/span><\/span> <\/a>to know the detail.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\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. 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><\/span>
\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 website. Please click one of them to reach us. We will reply to you within 1-2 business days.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3010The Art of Nihonto(Japanese Sword)<\/strong>\u3011<\/span>
\n\u00a0Samurai’s history is a profound, eloquent legacy of ancient Japanese warriors in which millions of people worldwide are being fascinated. If you like to find out the art of Nihonto,<\/span> 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