説明

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Kagekuni with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade has a signature of Kagekuni.According to NBTHK, this blade was forged in the late Muromachi period. Based on this information, we assume this blade would have been forged by Bizen Osafune Kagekuni while the certificate doesn’t mention where the blade was forged. Those who forged swords in the Bizen province(Okayama prefecture) at the end of the Muromachi Period(1492-1569 A.D) are called Matsu Bizen(Matsu mean the end). Bizen is the birthplace of Bizen Den,one of the most famous Japanese sword tradition along with Yamashiro Den, Soshu Den, Mino Den and Yamato Den. The swordsmiths in Bizen produced many swords during the Muromachi period as it was in the middle of the Sengoku period(Warring state period), and the demand for swords increased among strong feudal lords. The length of this blade is efficient and must have been easy for its owner to handle back then. The blade also comes with a beautiful set of Tanto Koshirae. It would be nice to have a piece that was forged in the warring state period, when there was so much rivalry between warlords. This blade 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). 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 23.6 cm ( 9.3 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0 cm( 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(Sabbard), Tsuka( Handle), Tsuba(Handguard). Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. Shishi (獅子, lion) is designed for this Fuchi Kashira. Some people thought the lion has the sun’s power and believed that the lion would protect us from evil spirits. There is also its mane pattern, and it represents the same thing. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. Tigers are designed for this Menuki. This animal motif is for formality pattern. There is a proverb about the tiger; “虎嘯けば風生ず.” By literal meaning, it means the wind will blow when a tiger barks. That is, an excellent vassal would appear under a great monarch. People once believed it was an omen for the advent of a hero. It could be considered that this brave animal design drove Samurai to the battlefield for making an outstanding contribution. Habaki : Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside.It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped. Saya : Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. Authentication Paper : NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the blade NBTHK , also known as Nihon Bijutsu Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the blade on Aug 28th in the second year of Reiwa(2020). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society. The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you request. Registration Number : Tokyo 321848 The Board of Education in Tokyo prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword . In order to obtain this paper, the sword need