Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Fujiwara Arihira with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade was signed byEchigo no Kami Fujiwara Arihira (越後守藤原有平). He also signed Kashu Jyu Fujiwara Kagehira.Kashu is the domain’s name, located in today’s Ishikawa prefecture. It is also known as Kaga domain. Arihira was especially active during 1624-1661 (Early Edo period). Arihira was the second son of the first-gen Kanewaka, one of the most famous swordsmiths in Kaga domain during the early Edo period. The first son was Kagehira. The first-gen Kanewaka (his father), Arihira and Kagehira served Maeda clan, one of the most powerful and influential feudal clans. The maker’s name was usually hereditary, and when the first-gen retired, his first or second son took over his father’s maker’s name if the first son wasn’t alive. However, this tradition didn’t occur to either Kagehira or Arihira. And the second-gen Kanewaka was inherited by the third son. Arihira dedicated his career to helping his father, doing Daisaku for his father and older brother sometimes. Daisaku is a regular act where an apprentice or a child of the swordsmith signs his master’s name with his master’s permission or forges a blade on behalf of the master. That means that his master highly acknowledged Arihira’s craftsmanship. The first-gen Kanewaka (His father) The first-gen Kanewaka was originally from Mino province(today’s Gifu prefecture). Later, he moved to the Kaga domain(Today’s Ishikawa prefecture) at the beginning of the Edo period after being summoned by Maeda Toshitsune, the third-gen head of the Kaga domain. It is said that Kanewaka forged swords for those who belonged to the Kaga domain under Maeda clan’s control. All the swordsmiths who signed Kanewaka in the Kaga domain were under the auspice of Maeda clan from generation to generation because of their highly skilled craftsmanship. Maeda Clan Maeda clan was originally a retainer of Oda family, who ruled Owari province. (today’s Nagoya area in Aichi prefecture) The first head of the Maeda clan was Toshie Maeda. He climbed the social ladder of Samurai society, and he became the feudal lord of Kaga Province(today’s Ishikawa prefecture). It is said that he had a vast rice fief that fed 100 million grown-up adults, which is called Hyakuman Goku. The Maeda clan was one of the most powerful lines in Samurai history. Toshie Maeda had a close tie with Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi Toyotomi. 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) : 69.7 cm (27.4 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.45 cm (0.57 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 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. Koshirae: Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya(Scabbard), Tsuka(Handle), Tsuba(Handguard). 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. Saya : Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. Authentication Paper : NBTHK TOKUBETSU H

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Fujiwara Arihira with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade was signed byEchigo no Kami Fujiwara Arihira (越後守藤原有平). He also signed Kashu Jyu Fujiwara Kagehira.Kashu is the domain’s name, located in today’s Ishikawa prefecture. It is also known as Kaga domain. Arihira was especially active during 1624-1661 (Early Edo period). Arihira was the second son of the first-gen Kanewaka, one of the most famous swordsmiths in Kaga domain during the early Edo period. The first son was Kagehira. The first-gen Kanewaka (his father), Arihira and Kagehira served Maeda clan, one of the most powerful and influential feudal clans. The maker’s name was usually hereditary, and when the first-gen retired, his first or second son took over his father’s maker’s name if the first son wasn’t alive. However, this tradition didn’t occur to either Kagehira or Arihira. And the second-gen Kanewaka was inherited by the third son. Arihira dedicated his career to helping his father, doing Daisaku for his father and older brother sometimes. Daisaku is a regular act where an apprentice or a child of the swordsmith signs his master’s name with his master’s permission or forges a blade on behalf of the master. That means that his master highly acknowledged Arihira’s craftsmanship. The first-gen Kanewaka (His father) The first-gen Kanewaka was originally from Mino province(today’s Gifu prefecture). Later, he moved to the Kaga domain(Today’s Ishikawa prefecture) at the beginning of the Edo period after being summoned by Maeda Toshitsune, the third-gen head of the Kaga domain. It is said that Kanewaka forged swords for those who belonged to the Kaga domain under Maeda clan’s control. All the swordsmiths who signed Kanewaka in the Kaga domain were under the auspice of Maeda clan from generation to generation because of their highly skilled craftsmanship. Maeda Clan Maeda clan was originally a retainer of Oda family, who ruled Owari province. (today’s Nagoya area in Aichi prefecture) The first head of the Maeda clan was Toshie Maeda. He climbed the social ladder of Samurai society, and he became the feudal lord of Kaga Province(today’s Ishikawa prefecture). It is said that he had a vast rice fief that fed 100 million grown-up adults, which is called Hyakuman Goku. The Maeda clan was one of the most powerful lines in Samurai history. Toshie Maeda had a close tie with Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi Toyotomi. 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) : 69.7 cm (27.4 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.45 cm (0.57 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 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. Koshirae: Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya(Scabbard), Tsuka(Handle), Tsuba(Handguard). 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. Saya : Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. Authentication Paper : NBTHK TOKUBETSU H