説明

Antique Japanese Sword Tachi Unsigned Sukekane with NTHK Kanteisho Certificate 【Description】 This Samurai sword was forged by Ichimonji Sukekane(一文字助包), according to NTHK, Nihon Touken Hozon Kai. Ichimonji Sukekane is a swordsmith who belonged to Fukuoka Ichimonji school in Fukuoka town in Bizen province, a prestigious sword making place. Fukuoka Ichimonji started to flourish from the beginning of the Kamakura era(1184-1185) when the military government(Bakufu) started to control Japan instead of the emperor court. Many of the swords forged by swordsmiths from Fukuoka Ichimonji school were unsigned. Sometimes, they just signed Ichi(one in Japanese). It was quite common for Fukuoka Ichimonji swords to be shortened(Suriage) in the Muromachi period to be used as katana. The signatures were cut because of this adjustment. Large number of great swords were created by Fukuoka Ichimonji school, and several swords have been designated as national treasures of Japan. The number of designated swords forged by Fukuoka Ichimonji school is the second-highest after that of Bizen Osafune school in the Touken category(Japanese sword). The first generation Sukekane was active from the beginning of the Kamakura period to the middle of the Kamakura period. The Tachi sword forged by the first generation Sukekane is designated as a national treasure of Japan. NTHK believes a later generation Sukekane forged this blade at the end of the Kamakura period. This blade comes with a beautiful set of Tachi sword mountings. 【Blade】 Length : 63.2 cm Curvature : 1.5 c m Hamon : The blade pattern created by the tempering process Jimon : Visible surface pattern on the steel Nakago : The blade was shortened at least twice based on how many nakago holes it has. 【Sword Mountings】 Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration . Tsuba and Habaki : Tsuba 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. This type of shape is called Aoi-Gata-Tsuba. It’s a combination of four leaves of Aoi. Aoi means hollyhock in Japanese. It’s often found for Tachi Tsuba. Each edge makes Inome pattern, which looks like a heart mark. Inome pattern has been used since ancient times in Japan especially as a part of decoration for shrine or temple. As its name implies, eyes of boar are the origin of this pattern. It’s believed that Inome pattern works as an amulet so that it protects us from evil spirits or fire. Also, it’s said that it brings good-luck. Karakusa-Monyou(design of ivy) is engraved on the whole surface. Ivy has vitality and it thrives strongly. So, arabesque design represents prosperity and longevity. Saya : Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. This saya has Tachi style(horse mounted style) Kougai & Kozuka : Koduka is the small knife stored in Koduka Hitsu(groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword). Many Tsubas(handguard) has two holes to put Koduka and Kougai(equipment for appearance) next to Nakago Ana(a hole of the Tsuba to put sword) Authentication Paper : NTHK Kanteisho Certificate for the blade NTHK, also known as NPO Nihon Touken Hozon Kai, is the oldest organization for sword authentication of Japanese swords in modern times. It was established in 1889 during the post-Samurai era. They authenticated the blade on April 19th in the second year of Reiwa (2020). The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well. —————————————————————– 【About us】 Samurai 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. 【 Japanese Sword& Export Process 】 The Japanese swor