After the Ōnin War broke the Ashikaga order, a century of Sengoku warfare armed nearly every province in Japan. The era rewards a discriminating eye: routine work exists in quantity, and beside it stand custom blades of the first rank.
A late Muromachi period katana by Kunisuke, published in a research book on Sanshu swordsmiths. This ubu (unaltered) blade comes with quality koshirae and is certified by the NBTHK as Tokubetsu Hozon. More details on this precious piece of Japanese history are coming soon.
NihontoWatchubu · Muromachi · nagasa 69.8cm
Suruga · around 1532-1555
Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 63%
1 piece on the market now
The Muromachi period (1392 to 1573)
After the Ōnin War broke the Ashikaga order, a century of Sengoku warfare armed nearly every province in Japan. The era rewards a discriminating eye: routine work exists in quantity, and beside it stand custom blades of the first rank.
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 siteIf the item fails to meet the description, it may be eligible for a return (at the seller's discretion). Item(s) must be shipped back only via FedEx or UPS within 48 hours of receipt, in original undamaged state. Costs are the purchaser's responsibility.
A late Muromachi period katana by Kunisuke, published in a research book on Sanshu swordsmiths. This ubu (unaltered) blade comes with quality koshirae and is certified by the NBTHK as Tokubetsu Hozon. More details on this precious piece of Japanese history are coming soon.
NihontoWatchubu · Muromachi · nagasa 69.8cm
Suruga · around 1532-1555
Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 63%
1 piece on the market now
The Muromachi period (1392 to 1573)
After the Ōnin War broke the Ashikaga order, a century of Sengoku warfare armed nearly every province in Japan. The era rewards a discriminating eye: routine work exists in quantity, and beside it stand custom blades of the first rank.
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 siteIf the item fails to meet the description, it may be eligible for a return (at the seller's discretion). Item(s) must be shipped back only via FedEx or UPS within 48 hours of receipt, in original undamaged state. Costs are the purchaser's responsibility.
