Antique Japanese Sword Tanto Signed by Minamoto Kunihide with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade is signed by Kawachi no Kami Minamoto Kunihide (河内守源国英), who was active during the Kanbun era (1661-1673: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. 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 Touken (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 and high quality with artistic value. *Please keep in mind that there is a couple of Kitae Kizu on the blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 28.8 cm (11.3 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.3 cm (0.1 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 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. This Fuchi-Kashira (縁頭) features a Kakashi (案山子), a traditional Japanese scarecrow used to protect rice fields and other crops from birds. In Japanese art, the Kakashi is a familiar symbol of rural life, often evoking the peaceful countryside and the autumn harvest season. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. The theme of this menuki is Ebisu (恵比寿天), one of the Seven Lucky Gods (七福神, Shichifukujin) of Japan. Ebisu is the only deity among the Seven Lucky Gods who originated in Japan, rather than being introduced from other Asian cultures. He is widely worshiped as the god of prosperity, especially associated with fishing and commerce. He is typically depicted holding a fishing rod in his right hand and a red sea bream (鯛, tai) tucked under his left arm. The sea bream is an important symbol in Japanese culture. Not only does it represent a bountiful catch—reflecting Ebisu’s role as a god of fishing—but it is also considered an auspicious fish. This is partly due to a wordplay in Japanese: “tai” sounds like “medetai,” meaning “joyous” or “celebrat

Antique Japanese Sword Tanto Signed by Minamoto Kunihide with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade is signed by Kawachi no Kami Minamoto Kunihide (河内守源国英), who was active during the Kanbun era (1661-1673: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. 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 Touken (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 and high quality with artistic value. *Please keep in mind that there is a couple of Kitae Kizu on the blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 28.8 cm (11.3 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.3 cm (0.1 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 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. This Fuchi-Kashira (縁頭) features a Kakashi (案山子), a traditional Japanese scarecrow used to protect rice fields and other crops from birds. In Japanese art, the Kakashi is a familiar symbol of rural life, often evoking the peaceful countryside and the autumn harvest season. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. The theme of this menuki is Ebisu (恵比寿天), one of the Seven Lucky Gods (七福神, Shichifukujin) of Japan. Ebisu is the only deity among the Seven Lucky Gods who originated in Japan, rather than being introduced from other Asian cultures. He is widely worshiped as the god of prosperity, especially associated with fishing and commerce. He is typically depicted holding a fishing rod in his right hand and a red sea bream (鯛, tai) tucked under his left arm. The sea bream is an important symbol in Japanese culture. Not only does it represent a bountiful catch—reflecting Ebisu’s role as a god of fishing—but it is also considered an auspicious fish. This is partly due to a wordplay in Japanese: “tai” sounds like “medetai,” meaning “joyous” or “celebrat