Edo was the sword’s age of connoisseurship: the Hon’ami appraisers, the shogunal register of famous blades of 1719, and a thriving literature turned the sword into an object of study even as it ceased to be drawn in war.
This is a fine Shinto-era wakizashi signed "Echizen no Fujiwara Sukehiro," displaying hallmarks of mid- to late-17th century blades with a balanced sugata, clear hada, and well-defined hamon. While it shows two tiny kizu, these add to its historical character rather than detracting from its integrity. The blade is currently valued as mumei due to the lack of shinsa papers, but could achieve proper attribution upon formal appraisal.
mei · Osaka Shinto · Shinto · nagasa 53.3cm · sori 1.2cm




Edo was the sword’s age of connoisseurship: the Hon’ami appraisers, the shogunal register of famous blades of 1719, and a thriving literature turned the sword into an object of study even as it ceased to be drawn in war.
The NTHK’s principal certificate, issued for a blade of considerable quality. It confirms a genuine signature, or, for an unsigned (mumei) work, records the judges’ attribution to a smith or school. The paper carries a detailed worksheet with a numerical point score.
The NTHK (Nihon Tōken Hozon Kai, the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword) is the oldest of Japan’s sword-appraisal bodies, founded in 1910, decades before the NBTHK. After the death of its long-serving head it divided into two successor societies, the NTHK and the NTHK-NPO, both of which continue to hold shinsa. NTHK certificates are known for a detailed worksheet that records a numerical point score alongside the judges’ written opinion, and the society is especially respected for its attribution of unsigned (mumei) work.
We offer a 48 hour inspection period for all Antique items shipped within the United States only. If the item is not to your satisfaction, we will gladly refund your money less any shipping and handling fees. All sales are final after the 48 hour inspection period. Please note that all discounted items are a final sale and not returnable.

This is a fine Shinto-era wakizashi signed "Echizen no Fujiwara Sukehiro," displaying hallmarks of mid- to late-17th century blades with a balanced sugata, clear hada, and well-defined hamon. While it shows two tiny kizu, these add to its historical character rather than detracting from its integrity. The blade is currently valued as mumei due to the lack of shinsa papers, but could achieve proper attribution upon formal appraisal.
mei · Osaka Shinto · Shinto · nagasa 53.3cm · sori 1.2cm




Edo was the sword’s age of connoisseurship: the Hon’ami appraisers, the shogunal register of famous blades of 1719, and a thriving literature turned the sword into an object of study even as it ceased to be drawn in war.
The NTHK’s principal certificate, issued for a blade of considerable quality. It confirms a genuine signature, or, for an unsigned (mumei) work, records the judges’ attribution to a smith or school. The paper carries a detailed worksheet with a numerical point score.
The NTHK (Nihon Tōken Hozon Kai, the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword) is the oldest of Japan’s sword-appraisal bodies, founded in 1910, decades before the NBTHK. After the death of its long-serving head it divided into two successor societies, the NTHK and the NTHK-NPO, both of which continue to hold shinsa. NTHK certificates are known for a detailed worksheet that records a numerical point score alongside the judges’ written opinion, and the society is especially respected for its attribution of unsigned (mumei) work.
We offer a 48 hour inspection period for all Antique items shipped within the United States only. If the item is not to your satisfaction, we will gladly refund your money less any shipping and handling fees. All sales are final after the 48 hour inspection period. Please note that all discounted items are a final sale and not returnable.
