Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Kanesaki with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade was forged by Mimasaka Koku Tsuyama Jyu Kanesaki(美作国津山住兼先) in the early-mid Edo period. It is said that the swordsmith name “Kanesaki” lasted 5th generations. Mimasaka is the old name of the province located in Okayama prefecture. Tsuyama is the name of the domain. As the signature is verified by NBTHK, we believe this blade was forged by Kanesaki in Mimasaka Koku, Tsuyama. The first-gen Kanesaki was originally from Mino province but moved to the Tsuyama domain during the Keicho era(1596-1615) after being invited by Mori Tadamasa, the feudal lord of the domain back then. Kanesaki exclusively served Mori clan, forging swords. We believe this blade was forged by either second -or third-gen of Kanesaki. Most of Kanesaki’s work have characteristic of Mino-DEN tradition while Bizen-DEN was also mixed. MINO-DEN swordsmiths exceedingly prospered during Sengoku Jidai(Warring State period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, and Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers. Furthermore, so many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area. Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had the reputation of their practical design and sharpness. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. The tradition of excellent sword forging skills had been passed throughout the Edo period. Many swordsmiths from Mino province moved to other parts of Japan, being invited by strong feudal lords, and Kanesaki is a good example. This sword has a Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). The blade also comes with a beautiful set of Katana style Koshirae. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 69.2 cm( 27.2 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 on purpose to prevent red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, which is a great indicator for a Japanese sword specialist to estimate when the sword was forged. 【Other Details】 Koshirae: Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya(Sabbard), Tsuka( Handle), Tsuba(Handguard). Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. Some plant patterns are designed for this Fuchi Kashira. By seeing the shape of the plant put at the Kashira, it might be Shida (羊歯, fern) plant. As ferns have a high fertility rate, the Shida pattern represents children’s prosperity and business success. Also, its name“羊歯” can be written as “歯朶” in Japanese. “歯” means ages, and “朶” means branches grow long; therefore, it symbolizes longevity. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. It is challenging to judge what the exact motif is for this Menuki. It seems a kind of plant that is the same type of one with the Fuchi Kashira is designed. 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. Circle-shaped antique Tsuba that has Kozuka and Kougai holes. A v

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Kanesaki with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade was forged by Mimasaka Koku Tsuyama Jyu Kanesaki(美作国津山住兼先) in the early-mid Edo period. It is said that the swordsmith name “Kanesaki” lasted 5th generations. Mimasaka is the old name of the province located in Okayama prefecture. Tsuyama is the name of the domain. As the signature is verified by NBTHK, we believe this blade was forged by Kanesaki in Mimasaka Koku, Tsuyama. The first-gen Kanesaki was originally from Mino province but moved to the Tsuyama domain during the Keicho era(1596-1615) after being invited by Mori Tadamasa, the feudal lord of the domain back then. Kanesaki exclusively served Mori clan, forging swords. We believe this blade was forged by either second -or third-gen of Kanesaki. Most of Kanesaki’s work have characteristic of Mino-DEN tradition while Bizen-DEN was also mixed. MINO-DEN swordsmiths exceedingly prospered during Sengoku Jidai(Warring State period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, and Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers. Furthermore, so many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area. Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had the reputation of their practical design and sharpness. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. The tradition of excellent sword forging skills had been passed throughout the Edo period. Many swordsmiths from Mino province moved to other parts of Japan, being invited by strong feudal lords, and Kanesaki is a good example. This sword has a Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). The blade also comes with a beautiful set of Katana style Koshirae. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 69.2 cm( 27.2 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 on purpose to prevent red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, which is a great indicator for a Japanese sword specialist to estimate when the sword was forged. 【Other Details】 Koshirae: Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya(Sabbard), Tsuka( Handle), Tsuba(Handguard). Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. Some plant patterns are designed for this Fuchi Kashira. By seeing the shape of the plant put at the Kashira, it might be Shida (羊歯, fern) plant. As ferns have a high fertility rate, the Shida pattern represents children’s prosperity and business success. Also, its name“羊歯” can be written as “歯朶” in Japanese. “歯” means ages, and “朶” means branches grow long; therefore, it symbolizes longevity. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. It is challenging to judge what the exact motif is for this Menuki. It seems a kind of plant that is the same type of one with the Fuchi Kashira is designed. 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. Circle-shaped antique Tsuba that has Kozuka and Kougai holes. A v