説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana attributed to Wake Shigenori with
NBTHK
JUYO TOKEN
Certificate
【Description】
This blade is attributed to Wake Shigenori (和気重則), who was active during the end of the Kamakura period (Approx. 700 years ago) in Bizen province (today’s Okayama prefecture). Wake is the name of the village located in this province. There are two remaining signed works and one was made in the third year of Shochu (1326) and the other one was in the third year of the Karyaku (1328). His creation has close resemblance to that of Bizen Osafune, one of the most prosperous schools in Bizen province. Shigenori belonged to Kunimune school.
BIZEN is located near the Chugoku Mountains, where iron sands, one of the essential materials for making Japanese swords, were abundant. Furthermore, BIZEN swordsmiths had close access to Yoshi River, where they could find good water and wood to make charcoal. This geological location contributed to the swordsmiths forging high-quality refined blades. BIZEN was quite active in sword-forging from ancient times. It is said that BIZEN DEN was created by groups of swordsmiths there during the late Heian era (Late 12th century ). These ancient swordsmiths in Bizen province are called Ko-Bizen (Old Bizen) swordsmiths.
While this blade was shortened significantly in the past, its cutting edge is 73.6 cm. We presume its original cutting length could be more than 80 cm. The person who originally owned this blade must have been skilled enough to handle this long blade. And, considering the period, we believe this blade was used as a Tachi.
This blade is appraised as a
JUYO TOKEN
(重要刀剣) 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, exceptionally well preserved and of high quality with artistic value. JUYO is one rank higher than Tokubetsu Hozon. To be eligible for a Juyo Token, it needs to be appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token first. It is extremely rare for an antique Japanese sword to be appraised as JUYO TOKEN, and it is highly desirable among Japanese sword collectors.
*Please keep in mind that there are a couple of noticeable Kitae Kizu on this blade.
【 Blade】
Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa)
:
73.6 cm (29.0 inches)
Curvature (Sori)
:
1.7 cm (0.67
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.
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 JUYO TOKEN Certificate for the blade (No. 13411)
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 Oct. 11th in the 25th year of Heisei (2013). They appraised it as JUYO TOKEN, the blade exceptionally 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
:
Gifu 81277
The Board of Education in Gifu 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 registration number, we will apply for its export permit.
This paper will need to be returned to the board of education when the sword is being shipped abroad, but you can receive a