Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Kunihide with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Kawachi no Kami Minamoto Kunihide (河内守源国英), who was active during the Enpo era (1673-1681:Early Edo period). Kawachi no Kami is an honorable official title given by the imperial court for his excellent craftsmanship. Minamoto is his surname he used as his maker’s name. In his career, he served the Izumo domain (Today’s Shimane prefecture). Izumo is the most famous place for producing Tamahagane, special carbon steel used to make Japanese swords. We assume Yoshiyuki had easy access to refined, high-quality steel because of where he lived. We are confident you can appreciate Yoshiyuki’s superb craftsmanship in this blade. Since this blade was registered in Shimane prefecture, we believe a few of the previous owners lived in Shimane prefecture for many years and this Wakizashi was passed down for many generations. What is Wakizashi? WAKIZASHI refers to a 30-60 cm long blade (11.8-28.6 inches) and was worn on the waist along with UCHI-GATANA (Katana). Samurai carried WAKIZASHI as a backup sword next to Katana. Samurai needed to use Wakizashi when he fought in a small room or with proximity where Katana would be too long to unsheathe. Also, when Samurai entered a castle, he had to leave his Katana to the castle guard. In contrast, Wakizashi was allowed to bring inside as self-protection. The use of Wakizashi became more widespread among Samurais during the Edo period. (1603-1868 A.D. ) Because the Edo Government had launched the national law to force all Samurais to wear two Japanese swords (Katana and Wakizashi) to identify themselves as the regime’s military officers. 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 is a tiny black rust spot near the tip of the blade. If you like to see the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 40.7 cm (16.0 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.8 cm (0.31 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 Kissaki : Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword. 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. 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. Its surface is Nanakoji (魚子地). This process makes a uniform minimal protrusions pattern by hitting the Nanako-Ji Tagane (魚子地鏨, a chisel for this technique) on a metal surface. This decorative technique is often seen on sword mountings. We assume Karakusa pattern (Ivy) is the theme of this design. It is a pattern in which stems and leaves of vines are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows up without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity. Vine is called Tsuru (蔓) in Japanese, and it has another pronunciation; “Man.” There is a word 万 (it is also read Man), which means ten thousand. In the Karakusa pattern, leaves and vines are connected like Obi (帯, belt). The word “帯” can also be read “Tai.” Due to its pronunciation, the term “代 (Tai)” is associated. From this word-association game, an idiom 万代 is associated, and it means a thousand generations. In oth

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Kunihide with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Kawachi no Kami Minamoto Kunihide (河内守源国英), who was active during the Enpo era (1673-1681:Early Edo period). Kawachi no Kami is an honorable official title given by the imperial court for his excellent craftsmanship. Minamoto is his surname he used as his maker’s name. In his career, he served the Izumo domain (Today’s Shimane prefecture). Izumo is the most famous place for producing Tamahagane, special carbon steel used to make Japanese swords. We assume Yoshiyuki had easy access to refined, high-quality steel because of where he lived. We are confident you can appreciate Yoshiyuki’s superb craftsmanship in this blade. Since this blade was registered in Shimane prefecture, we believe a few of the previous owners lived in Shimane prefecture for many years and this Wakizashi was passed down for many generations. What is Wakizashi? WAKIZASHI refers to a 30-60 cm long blade (11.8-28.6 inches) and was worn on the waist along with UCHI-GATANA (Katana). Samurai carried WAKIZASHI as a backup sword next to Katana. Samurai needed to use Wakizashi when he fought in a small room or with proximity where Katana would be too long to unsheathe. Also, when Samurai entered a castle, he had to leave his Katana to the castle guard. In contrast, Wakizashi was allowed to bring inside as self-protection. The use of Wakizashi became more widespread among Samurais during the Edo period. (1603-1868 A.D. ) Because the Edo Government had launched the national law to force all Samurais to wear two Japanese swords (Katana and Wakizashi) to identify themselves as the regime’s military officers. 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 is a tiny black rust spot near the tip of the blade. If you like to see the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 40.7 cm (16.0 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.8 cm (0.31 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 Kissaki : Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword. 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. 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. Its surface is Nanakoji (魚子地). This process makes a uniform minimal protrusions pattern by hitting the Nanako-Ji Tagane (魚子地鏨, a chisel for this technique) on a metal surface. This decorative technique is often seen on sword mountings. We assume Karakusa pattern (Ivy) is the theme of this design. It is a pattern in which stems and leaves of vines are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows up without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity. Vine is called Tsuru (蔓) in Japanese, and it has another pronunciation; “Man.” There is a word 万 (it is also read Man), which means ten thousand. In the Karakusa pattern, leaves and vines are connected like Obi (帯, belt). The word “帯” can also be read “Tai.” Due to its pronunciation, the term “代 (Tai)” is associated. From this word-association game, an idiom 万代 is associated, and it means a thousand generations. In oth