Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Nobuyoshi with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Echizen no Kami Minamoto Nobuyoshi(越前守源信吉) was the third son of the first-gen Shinano Kami Nobuyoshi(信濃守信吉), who served as one of Gokaji, five most prestigious swordsmiths in Kyoto. Minamoto Nobuyoshi is said to have forged this blade during the mid-Edo period(Late 17th century). He mostly created his work in Yamashiro(Kyoto area) but moved to Osaka city at the end of his career. He was allowed to inscribe a chrysanthemum emblem, which is the symbol of the Japanese emperor. His sword forging technique was so great that the emperor allowed him to use this emblem, which was quite honorable for any swordsmiths. This blade has a Tokubetsu Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, especially worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). This sword has beautiful Suguha(straight tempering line) and Jigane. It comes with a black lacquered scabbard and intricate sword fittings. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 52.1 cm (20.5 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.9 cm(0.35 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. 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. Botan (牡丹, peony) pattern is designed for this Fuchi Kashira. Peony represents happiness, wealth, nobleness, and gorgeousness. This flower pattern has been treated as a kind of good-omen motifs that become a rich harvest sign. When we write this flower’s name in Japanese, its second letter, “丹” has the meaning: medicine of mountain hermit that would give us eternal youth. Based on the meaning of this letter, the peony pattern symbolizes eternal youth and longevity. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. It is challenging to judge this Menuki’s motif; it might be a kind of plant that bears fruit. 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. Oval-shaped Tsuba made from iron. Samurais who are fighting against enemies are engraved. The rough sea is depicted at the backside. It seems this Tsuba shows a scene of a battle on the sea. This design might have adopted to encourage Samurai who is leaving for the battlefield. Saya : Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. Please keep in in mind that there is a little scratch on this scabbard. If you like to know the detail, please contact us. Kozuka : Kozuka is a small knife stored in Kozuka Hitsu(groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword). Kogatana (small knife) is stored in Kozuka (case for the small knife). A crane and leaves are designed. Cranes live a long life so that this bird pattern has been considered the symbol of longevity since a long time ago. Also, as cranes make compatible couples, its design represents happy marriage. Due to its pure white feathers and dignified appearance, it was favorably used as a good omen design for various ornaments or furnishings such as Kimono (traditional Japanese costume) or Obi (belt for Kimono). Authentication Paper : NBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the b

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Nobuyoshi with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Echizen no Kami Minamoto Nobuyoshi(越前守源信吉) was the third son of the first-gen Shinano Kami Nobuyoshi(信濃守信吉), who served as one of Gokaji, five most prestigious swordsmiths in Kyoto. Minamoto Nobuyoshi is said to have forged this blade during the mid-Edo period(Late 17th century). He mostly created his work in Yamashiro(Kyoto area) but moved to Osaka city at the end of his career. He was allowed to inscribe a chrysanthemum emblem, which is the symbol of the Japanese emperor. His sword forging technique was so great that the emperor allowed him to use this emblem, which was quite honorable for any swordsmiths. This blade has a Tokubetsu Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, especially worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). This sword has beautiful Suguha(straight tempering line) and Jigane. It comes with a black lacquered scabbard and intricate sword fittings. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 52.1 cm (20.5 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.9 cm(0.35 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. 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. Botan (牡丹, peony) pattern is designed for this Fuchi Kashira. Peony represents happiness, wealth, nobleness, and gorgeousness. This flower pattern has been treated as a kind of good-omen motifs that become a rich harvest sign. When we write this flower’s name in Japanese, its second letter, “丹” has the meaning: medicine of mountain hermit that would give us eternal youth. Based on the meaning of this letter, the peony pattern symbolizes eternal youth and longevity. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. It is challenging to judge this Menuki’s motif; it might be a kind of plant that bears fruit. 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. Oval-shaped Tsuba made from iron. Samurais who are fighting against enemies are engraved. The rough sea is depicted at the backside. It seems this Tsuba shows a scene of a battle on the sea. This design might have adopted to encourage Samurai who is leaving for the battlefield. Saya : Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. Please keep in in mind that there is a little scratch on this scabbard. If you like to know the detail, please contact us. Kozuka : Kozuka is a small knife stored in Kozuka Hitsu(groove of the sheath of the Japanese sword). Kogatana (small knife) is stored in Kozuka (case for the small knife). A crane and leaves are designed. Cranes live a long life so that this bird pattern has been considered the symbol of longevity since a long time ago. Also, as cranes make compatible couples, its design represents happy marriage. Due to its pure white feathers and dignified appearance, it was favorably used as a good omen design for various ornaments or furnishings such as Kimono (traditional Japanese costume) or Obi (belt for Kimono). Authentication Paper : NBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the b