The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
This is a Ken (sword) made by Amata Akitsugu, a Living National Treasure and one of the highest-ranking contemporary swordsmiths. Born in 1927, Amata Akitsugu was renowned for using self-produced steel and mastering various traditions, including Yamashiro, Soshu, and Bizen. This particular piece is a Ken crafted in the Yamato tradition, featuring a finely forged ko-itame hada and a flawless suguha hamon, embodying the golden ratio of ancient Yamato Ken.
NihontoWatch
Niigata · around 1926-1989
Tōken Taikan top 87%
5 pieces on the market now
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
Certifies a genuine blade worth preserving: a signature confirmed correct, or, if unsigned, an era, province, and school that the NBTHK can reliably identify.
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 siteCustomer-initiated returns accepted within two days of arrival; return shipping paid by customer and fees non-refundable. Returns/refunds unavailable for overseas deliveries.
This is a Ken (sword) made by Amata Akitsugu, a Living National Treasure and one of the highest-ranking contemporary swordsmiths. Born in 1927, Amata Akitsugu was renowned for using self-produced steel and mastering various traditions, including Yamashiro, Soshu, and Bizen. This particular piece is a Ken crafted in the Yamato tradition, featuring a finely forged ko-itame hada and a flawless suguha hamon, embodying the golden ratio of ancient Yamato Ken.
NihontoWatchNiigata · around 1926-1989
Tōken Taikan top 87%
5 pieces on the market now
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
Certifies a genuine blade worth preserving: a signature confirmed correct, or, if unsigned, an era, province, and school that the NBTHK can reliably identify.
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 siteCustomer-initiated returns accepted within two days of arrival; return shipping paid by customer and fees non-refundable. Returns/refunds unavailable for overseas deliveries.
