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.
NihontoWatchNihontoWatchComes with kimono or cotton bag. Comes with certificate of supein Nihonto. Comes with copy of Tokosusho. Comes with NBTHK Hozon Certificate. Documentation Early to Mid Edo Period Katana NBTHK Hozon Certificate Tokorusho Firearms and Swords Registration Certificate. Type: katana (刀). Curvature (sori): 0.8 cm. Mekugi-ana: 1. Mei (both sides of the nakago): “Musashi no Kami Fujiwara Kanenaka” and “Echizen-jū (resident of Echizen)”. 2) NBTHK Certificate – Hozon Tōken One katana, signed: “Musashi no Kami Fujiwara Kanenaka” / “Echizen-jū”. “Following examination by this association, it is appraised as Hozon Tōken (Sword for Preservation), and this is hereby certified.” Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 9 bu (approx. 69.4 cm). Issuer: Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, The Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords (NBTHK), sealed. 3) 認定書 NBTHK Certificate Koshirae – Tokubetsu Kichō Tōsōgu Recognition certificate. One uchigatana koshirae with black-lacquered saya. Fuchi-kashira (as per attached illustration): copper base, carved metalwork (chōkin) with patinated/colored finish. Menuki: dragon motif, copper base. Tsuba: dragon motif, iron base. “Following examination by this association, it is recognized as Tokubetsu Kichō Tōsōgu (Especially Precious Sword Fittings/Koshirae).” Issuer: The Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords (NBTHK), sealed. Swordsmith, school, and context The documented and certified mei identifies 武蔵守藤原兼中 (Musashi no Kami Fujiwara Kanenaka) with the province stated as 越前住 (Echizen-jū). Japanese museum references place Kanenaka working in Echizen (Ichijō area, present-day Fukui) from the early into the mid Edo period, associated with swordsmith groups established in Echizen. Technical description of the blade A shinogi-zukuri katana with nagasa 69.3 cm and sori 0.8 cm per the torokusho, consistent with the 2 shaku 2 sun 9 bu stated on the Hozon certificate. The temperline is visible as a gentle wave (notare character with fine variation) along the edge. The nakago shows one mekugi-ana and is inscribed on both sides per the registration: “Musashi no Kami Fujiwara Kanenaka” and “Echizen-jū”. Technical description of the koshirae Complete uchigatana koshirae with black-lacquered saya (kuro-nuri), accompanied by a shirasaya. The mounting is supported by a Tokubetsu Kichō Tōsōgu certificate specifying: fuchi-kashira signed “赤坂源正房” in copper with carved work and colored finish, dragon menuki in copper, and an iron dragon tsuba. Tsuka with black tsuka-ito over prominently-noded samegawa, and a silver-toned habaki with strong geometric filing. Technical data sheet Field Data Type Katana (刀) Mei / inscription 武蔵守藤原兼中 ／ 越前住 (both sides per torokusho) Nagasa 69.3 cm (torokusho) / 2尺2寸9分 approx. 69.4 cm (Hozon) Sori 0.8 cm Mekugi-ana 1
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Echizen · around 1681-1684
Tōken Taikan top 76%
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The Edo period (1615 to 1868)
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.
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 site14-day return if items arrive damaged or in unexpected condition; customer bears return shipping + insurance; items returned in original condition with all accessories; antique armour non-returnable; only regular priced items refundable; shipping costs non-refundable.