Kicho
貴重
What is Kicho (貴重)?
Precious; the basic grade of the NBTHK's pre-1982 paper system (Kichō Tōken), known among Western collectors as 'white papers'. No longer issued since the current Hozon system replaced it in 1982, and largely disavowed by the NBTHK today; many blades with these papers fail when resubmitted. Treat a blade whose only papers are Kichō as unpapered. Exception: for low-value fittings, a modern shinsa can cost more than it adds, so old papers are sometimes simply left in place.
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Authentication certificate for Aoe school blades; formal attribution to this Bitchu Province tradition.
Colloquial Western term for Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho papers. Generally regarded by collectors as more dependable than other Kicho-era papers, but no longer issued and not equivalent to current NBTHK papers. See: koshu-tokubetsu-kicho.
Attributed to; traditional attribution without certainty.
Old attribution; historical sword appraisal or authentication, often from earlier periods.
Art name or pseudonym used by smiths and artists; also the name given to a celebrated sword (e.g. Heshikiri Hasebe).
Colloquial Western term for Tokubetsu Kicho papers (pre-1982), which were issued on green paper; sometimes used loosely for all pre-1982 NBTHK papers. Largely disavowed by the NBTHK today: treat a blade whose only papers are green papers as unpapered. Exception: low-value fittings, where a modern shinsa can cost more than it adds. See: tokubetsu-kicho.
Box inscription; writing on a storage box identifying the contents, often by a recognized authority, used as authentication.
The most prestigious family of sword appraisers, active from the Muromachi period through Edo. Their origami certificates remain highly valued.
Deferred judgement; a status given by NBTHK shinsa when a blade cannot be definitively attributed or authenticated. The item is held for further study rather than being passed or rejected. Blades with horyu status may be resubmitted after additional research or restoration work.
Measurements; the dimensions section (nagasa, sori, widths and so on) of a sword's appraisal description or catalogue entry.
Worthy of preservation; NBTHK certification indicating a blade meets standards for historical and artistic value.
Important; NBTHK designation for blades and fittings of exceptional quality, the second-highest NBTHK rank, below only Tokubetsu Juyo.