説明
Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Attributed to Kaifu with NBTHK
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
Summary
This blade is attributed to Kaifu (海部) during the late Muromachi period (late 15th-mid 16th century). Kaifu is the name of the clan and school that ruled Awa province (Today’s Tokushima prefecture). From the beginning of the Kamakura period (late 12th century), they started sword-forging by taking advantage of its geographical location where iron sand was abundant near the Kaifu River. Their sword-forging was active and reached its heyday during the Sengoku Jidai (Warring state period in the late 15th-early 16th century). Kaifu clan was destroyed by Chosokabe Motochika in 1575. After the event, the school’s presence was hindered in the region. However, when the Hachisuka clan took control of Awa province, the clan invited the members of the Kaifu school and let them live near the Tokushima castle, forging blades for the clan. The school continued at the end of the Edo period.
Historical Background
The late Muromachi period overlaps with the Sengoku period (戦国時代, “Warring States Period”), a time marked by ongoing military conflict and political fragmentation across Japan. In this turbulent era, the samurai class played a central role as both warriors and political actors.
Swords were vital to the samurai not just as weapons but also as symbols of personal honor and status. A well-forged sword was regarded as an extension of the samurai’s soul, used in both battle and ceremonial practices.
As warfare intensified, demand for high-quality blades grew rapidly. Feudal lords (大名, daimyō) sought to equip their armies with superior weapons, turning to renowned swordsmiths like Moritaka for craftsmanship that combined functionality with aesthetic value.
It is appraised as a
Hozon Token
(保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai: 日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, well preserved and high quality with artistic value.
*Please keep in mind that there are a couple of Kitae Kizu on this blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa)
:
34.5 cm (13.5 inches)
Curvature (Sori)
:
0.4 cm (0.15 inches)
Hamon
:
The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process.
Jimon(Jihada)
:
visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process
Kissaki
:
Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword.
Nakago
:
Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword.
Japanese 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.
Habaki
:
Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped.
Authentication Paper
:
NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 3037919)
NBTHK
, 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 1st in the 7th year of Reiwa (2025). They appraised it as 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
for your record if you request.
Registration Number
:
Tottori 15904
The Board of Education in Tottori prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword. It is called Jyu Ho Token Rui Torokusho (銃砲刀剣類登録証). Bunkacho (The Agency for Cultural Affairs) acknowledges a Japanese sword with this paper as a work of art.
The sword needs to be traditionally hand-forged and made of Tamahagane carbon steel to be registered in the system. With