This katana by 8th generation Nobutaka, born Shimizu Jinnoshin, is a rare example of his work featuring a bright chu-suguha hamon with kinsuji, nijuba, and kuichigaiba, departing from the school's typical notare or gunome. Signed and dated Bunka 11 (1814), it comes in a striking Edo period tachi koshirae with matching kiri-mon themed fittings, including an NTHK-NPO certified shakudo tsuba. The blade is certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon, with a sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro noting its exceptional nature and historical value.
NihontoWatchmei · Hoki no Kami Nobutaka School · Kansei (1789-1801) · nagasa 71.3cm · sori 1.8cm
Owari · around 1789-1801
Tōken Taikan top 77%
2 pieces on the market now
For two and a half centuries of peace the sword was the warrior’s legal badge rather than his weapon. Each great city developed its own manner, Edo’s tested strength against Ōsaka’s polished brilliance, until demand thinned in the era’s last decades.
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteAll swords come with a three-day inspection period beginning from the date of delivery. If not satisfied, the sword may be returned within this period for a full refund of the purchase price. Outside of this period, all sales are final. Swords purchased on a layaway payment plan are not eligible for the three-day inspection period.
This katana by 8th generation Nobutaka, born Shimizu Jinnoshin, is a rare example of his work featuring a bright chu-suguha hamon with kinsuji, nijuba, and kuichigaiba, departing from the school's typical notare or gunome. Signed and dated Bunka 11 (1814), it comes in a striking Edo period tachi koshirae with matching kiri-mon themed fittings, including an NTHK-NPO certified shakudo tsuba. The blade is certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon, with a sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro noting its exceptional nature and historical value.
NihontoWatchmei · Hoki no Kami Nobutaka School · Kansei (1789-1801) · nagasa 71.3cm · sori 1.8cm
Owari · around 1789-1801
Tōken Taikan top 77%
2 pieces on the market now
For two and a half centuries of peace the sword was the warrior’s legal badge rather than his weapon. Each great city developed its own manner, Edo’s tested strength against Ōsaka’s polished brilliance, until demand thinned in the era’s last decades.
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteAll swords come with a three-day inspection period beginning from the date of delivery. If not satisfied, the sword may be returned within this period for a full refund of the purchase price. Outside of this period, all sales are final. Swords purchased on a layaway payment plan are not eligible for the three-day inspection period.
