Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Ietada with Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Ietada (家忠), and according to NBHTK that appraised it as a Hozon Token, it was specifically created by Kashu Ietada (加州家忠). Kashu is the name of the province in today’s Ishikawa prefecture. According to NTHK, another reputable Japanese sword appraising organization, it was made during the Kan-Ei era (1624-1644). Ietada was born during the Keicho era (1596-1615) as the son of Darani Ieshige (陀羅尼家重). Ietada belonged to Darani school and was one of the prominent figures in the school. The blades created by Ietada were famous for their sharpness. We assume he could have made blades for high-class Samurai residing in Kashu province. Darani school Darani school was founded by the first generation Katsuie, originally from Mino province, famous for the sword-forging tradition called MINO-DEN(美濃伝). He and his apprentices moved to Kashu(Today’s Ishikawa prefecture) in the late Muromachi period. They founded a Darani(陀羅尼) school after being hired by the monks who lived there. However, after the second generation (Katsuie’s son), Ieshige, took over Katuie’s school, Darani school started to serve Maeda clan, and Ieshige was ordered to change his name to Katsukuni in the early Edo period. Ieshige was the father of Ietada. 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 became the feudal lord of Kaga Province(today’s Ishikawa prefecture). He had a vast rice fief that fed 1 million grown-up adults, which is called Hyakuman Goku. The Maeda clan was one of the most influential families in Samurai history. Toshie Maeda had a close tie with Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi Toyotomi. This blade 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 with artistic value. *Please keep in mind that there are a couple of black rust on this blade. If you like to make sure of its condition, please feel free to contact us. We will send you photos and videos. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 64.3 cm (25.3 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.7 cm (0.27 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. Cherry blossoms are designed for this Fuchi Kashira. You could see that the flowers are in full bloom. Although some colorings were already faded due to aging, it seems these flowers were initially colored with golden paint. Cherry blossom is one of the seasonal things of spring, and it has been loved for a long time in Japan. Its pattern is designed not only for sword mountings but also for Kimono (着物, traditional Japanese costume) or furnishings. One theory says that the god of grain exists in cherry blossoms. Therefore, this flower pattern has been treated as the symbol of a plentiful harvest. People held a traditional custom under cherry blossom trees to pray for a bumper year in ancient times. It is said this is the origin of the cherry blossom viewing picnic today. Tsuka and Menuk

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Ietada with Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Ietada (家忠), and according to NBHTK that appraised it as a Hozon Token, it was specifically created by Kashu Ietada (加州家忠). Kashu is the name of the province in today’s Ishikawa prefecture. According to NTHK, another reputable Japanese sword appraising organization, it was made during the Kan-Ei era (1624-1644). Ietada was born during the Keicho era (1596-1615) as the son of Darani Ieshige (陀羅尼家重). Ietada belonged to Darani school and was one of the prominent figures in the school. The blades created by Ietada were famous for their sharpness. We assume he could have made blades for high-class Samurai residing in Kashu province. Darani school Darani school was founded by the first generation Katsuie, originally from Mino province, famous for the sword-forging tradition called MINO-DEN(美濃伝). He and his apprentices moved to Kashu(Today’s Ishikawa prefecture) in the late Muromachi period. They founded a Darani(陀羅尼) school after being hired by the monks who lived there. However, after the second generation (Katsuie’s son), Ieshige, took over Katuie’s school, Darani school started to serve Maeda clan, and Ieshige was ordered to change his name to Katsukuni in the early Edo period. Ieshige was the father of Ietada. 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 became the feudal lord of Kaga Province(today’s Ishikawa prefecture). He had a vast rice fief that fed 1 million grown-up adults, which is called Hyakuman Goku. The Maeda clan was one of the most influential families in Samurai history. Toshie Maeda had a close tie with Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi Toyotomi. This blade 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 with artistic value. *Please keep in mind that there are a couple of black rust on this blade. If you like to make sure of its condition, please feel free to contact us. We will send you photos and videos. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 64.3 cm (25.3 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.7 cm (0.27 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. Cherry blossoms are designed for this Fuchi Kashira. You could see that the flowers are in full bloom. Although some colorings were already faded due to aging, it seems these flowers were initially colored with golden paint. Cherry blossom is one of the seasonal things of spring, and it has been loved for a long time in Japan. Its pattern is designed not only for sword mountings but also for Kimono (着物, traditional Japanese costume) or furnishings. One theory says that the god of grain exists in cherry blossoms. Therefore, this flower pattern has been treated as the symbol of a plentiful harvest. People held a traditional custom under cherry blossom trees to pray for a bumper year in ancient times. It is said this is the origin of the cherry blossom viewing picnic today. Tsuka and Menuk