The Haitōrei edict of 1876 ended sword wearing and nearly ended the craft itself. Military demand and imperial patronage kept a remnant alive, and in 1906 Gassan Sadakazu and Miyamoto Kanenori were named Artists to the Imperial Household.
This Shinto katana is a masterpiece by Gassan Sadakazu, an Imperial Household Artist, featuring intricate carvings of a dragon and sanko-ken by the smith himself. Dated August 1910, it showcases his renowned 'ayasugi-hada' grain and a hamon based on ko-gunome with pointed elements. The blade is accompanied by an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token certificate, highlighting its exceptional quality and historical significance.
NihontoWatchmei · Gassan · Meiji · nagasa 73.1cm · sori 0.8cm
Yamato · around 1907-1995
Tōken Taikan top 49%
5 pieces on the market now
The Haitōrei edict of 1876 ended sword wearing and nearly ended the craft itself. Military demand and imperial patronage kept a remnant alive, and in 1906 Gassan Sadakazu and Miyamoto Kanenori were named Artists to the Imperial Household.
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 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 Shinto katana is a masterpiece by Gassan Sadakazu, an Imperial Household Artist, featuring intricate carvings of a dragon and sanko-ken by the smith himself. Dated August 1910, it showcases his renowned 'ayasugi-hada' grain and a hamon based on ko-gunome with pointed elements. The blade is accompanied by an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token certificate, highlighting its exceptional quality and historical significance.
NihontoWatchmei · Gassan · Meiji · nagasa 73.1cm · sori 0.8cm
Yamato · around 1907-1995
Tōken Taikan top 49%
5 pieces on the market now
The Haitōrei edict of 1876 ended sword wearing and nearly ended the craft itself. Military demand and imperial patronage kept a remnant alive, and in 1906 Gassan Sadakazu and Miyamoto Kanenori were named Artists to the Imperial Household.
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 siteCustomer-initiated returns accepted within two days of arrival; return shipping paid by customer and fees non-refundable. Returns/refunds unavailable for overseas deliveries.
