Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Hiromitsu with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Hiromitsu (広光) during the Shinto era according to its NBTHK’s authentication paper. Shinto is Japanese Sword terminology that refers to the swords forged during 1596-1781 (Late Azuchi Momoyama-Mid Edo Edo Period). Based on the look of this blade, we strongly believe it was made during the early Edo Period (Early-Mid 17th century). There were a few swordsmiths who used Hiromitsu as his maker’s name during this time and NBTHK didn’t mention which Hiromitsu forged this blade. Nevertheless, you can see splendid craftsmanship from this period. Based on the shape of the Nakago (tang), this blade was never shortened in the past and keeps its original length. 69.8 cm is the standard size for the Japanese sword during the early Edo Period. What is the material of the Japanese sword and what makes Shinto sword special? Japanese blacksmithing has over a millennium of history. It dates back to the 1st century A.D. when ancient blacksmiths studied template method from the continent. Copper pottery and rice farming techniques were also introduced to Japan at the same time. Since then, Japanese blacksmiths had spent centuries to invent the traditional metal forging technique called TATARA(鑪). TATARA is a clay melting pot where you put iron sand and charcoal together to bond these chemicals with intensive heat. By using this technique, they started to make Japanese swords out of Tatara carbon-steel. This type of carbon-steel was later called TAMA-HAGANE (玉鋼; Ball-Steel). However, Tama-Hagane, in the early days, still had room for improvement. The schools of Katana (Japanese swords) continued carryi ng out various ways to make the best steel. In the Edo period (1603-1868 A.D.), they finally achieved the most steady mass-producing supply of Tama-Hagane. As transport li nks in the Edo period were far more advanced than those of any previous eras, Tama-Hagane has rapidly spread throughout the country. It was widely used for Shin-TO Japanese swords, since it was deemed the purest form of carbon-steel with the most stable chemical bond. It was also a defining moment in Japanese history when most swordsmiths in Japan used virtually the same ingredient in their blacksmithing. This blade 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) : 69.8 cm(27.5 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.5 cm(0.59 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. At the Kashira part, you would find a man smoking a cigarette. And at the Fuchi part, there are people walking with a cow. The series of stories is unknown, but it is thought to be a design that depicts people’s lives. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. One side of this Menuki’s motif is a combination of two birds. They are probably sparrows. As they form a flock and act among birds, the sparrow pattern represents abundant crops and prosperity.

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Hiromitsu with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Hiromitsu (広光) during the Shinto era according to its NBTHK’s authentication paper. Shinto is Japanese Sword terminology that refers to the swords forged during 1596-1781 (Late Azuchi Momoyama-Mid Edo Edo Period). Based on the look of this blade, we strongly believe it was made during the early Edo Period (Early-Mid 17th century). There were a few swordsmiths who used Hiromitsu as his maker’s name during this time and NBTHK didn’t mention which Hiromitsu forged this blade. Nevertheless, you can see splendid craftsmanship from this period. Based on the shape of the Nakago (tang), this blade was never shortened in the past and keeps its original length. 69.8 cm is the standard size for the Japanese sword during the early Edo Period. What is the material of the Japanese sword and what makes Shinto sword special? Japanese blacksmithing has over a millennium of history. It dates back to the 1st century A.D. when ancient blacksmiths studied template method from the continent. Copper pottery and rice farming techniques were also introduced to Japan at the same time. Since then, Japanese blacksmiths had spent centuries to invent the traditional metal forging technique called TATARA(鑪). TATARA is a clay melting pot where you put iron sand and charcoal together to bond these chemicals with intensive heat. By using this technique, they started to make Japanese swords out of Tatara carbon-steel. This type of carbon-steel was later called TAMA-HAGANE (玉鋼; Ball-Steel). However, Tama-Hagane, in the early days, still had room for improvement. The schools of Katana (Japanese swords) continued carryi ng out various ways to make the best steel. In the Edo period (1603-1868 A.D.), they finally achieved the most steady mass-producing supply of Tama-Hagane. As transport li nks in the Edo period were far more advanced than those of any previous eras, Tama-Hagane has rapidly spread throughout the country. It was widely used for Shin-TO Japanese swords, since it was deemed the purest form of carbon-steel with the most stable chemical bond. It was also a defining moment in Japanese history when most swordsmiths in Japan used virtually the same ingredient in their blacksmithing. This blade 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) : 69.8 cm(27.5 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.5 cm(0.59 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. At the Kashira part, you would find a man smoking a cigarette. And at the Fuchi part, there are people walking with a cow. The series of stories is unknown, but it is thought to be a design that depicts people’s lives. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. One side of this Menuki’s motif is a combination of two birds. They are probably sparrows. As they form a flock and act among birds, the sparrow pattern represents abundant crops and prosperity.