説明

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Katana attributed to Nakajima Rai with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade is attributed to Nakajima Rai, also known as Rai Kuninaga. He belonged to Rai school, which was prosperous in Yamashiro province (Kyoto prefecture) during the mid-Kamakura-Nanbokucho period. Rai Kuninaga was an apprentice of Rai Kunitoshi. Rai school was originally founded by Rai Kuniyuki and was taken over by Rai Kunitoshi, and then Kunimitsu became the head of the school in his career. Rai Kuninaga is called Nakajima Rai becuase he moved to Nakajima village in Settsu province (today’s Osaka) in his career. The maker’s name, Kuninaga lasted two generations. And, the first-gen was active during the Gentoku era (1329-1331) and the second-gen was active during Shohei- Oan era (1346-1375). This means Nakajima Rai was active during the end of the Kamakura- Nanbokucho period. Yamashiro province was famous for its sword making style called YAMASHIRO-DEN. YAMASHIRO-DEN’s origin dates back to the Heian period (794 A.D), when the capital city was moved from Nara to Kyoto. The swordsmiths in Yamashiro province initially prospered by forging swords for court nobles and imperial families. Later on, they also forged swords for feudal lords after Samurai military government took control of Japan. There are so many renowned swordsmiths from this region. It is said that the founder of YAMASHIRO-DEN was Sanjo Munechika. And there are seven prestigious schools in this region. One of them is Rai school, where Kuninaga originally belonged. Rai school and Awataguchi school are the most prestigious ones among YAMASHIRO-DEN. One of the most characteristics of YAMASHIRO-DEN is its elegant design and beautiful Jigane. This blade represents strong trait of YAMASHIRO-DEN. It is appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token (特別保存刀剣) 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, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 66.6cm (26.2 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.60 cm (0.23 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 TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 1017594) 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 March 2nd in the 4th year of Reiwa (2022). They appraised it as Tokubetsu 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 : Miyagi 5392 The Board of Education in Miyagi prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword . It is called Jyu Token Rui Torokusho(銃刀剣類登録証). 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 this paper, its owner in Japan can legally own an authentic Japanese sword. Based on this registrati