Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Yumimitsu with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
The swordsmith name, Kashu Yukimitsu, lasted 5th generations during the Muromachi period-early Edo period, forging swords in Kaga domain(today’s Ishikawa prefecture).
NBTHK authenticated this blade as the one forged by Kashu Yukimitsu, while the signature is inscribed as 行光(Yukimitsu). According to their appraisal, the sword was forged in the late Muromachi period based on the blade’s characteristics. We called NBTHK to confirm it. We assumed 4th-gen Yukimitsu forged this blade based on the estimated age it was forged.
It is said that the first-gen Yukimitsu was an apprentice of Fujishima Tomoshige(藤島友重), one of the most famous swordsmiths in Kaga domain in the early Muromachi period.
The first-gen Yukimitsu(加州行光) was the father of Kashu Kiyomitsu(加州清光), whose forged swords were owned by some of the members of the famous military force named Shinsengumi in the late Edo period.
When this blade was forged in the late Muromachi period, Maeda clan started to controlled Kaga domain. Maeda clan was originally a retainer of the Oda family, who ruled Owari province. (today’s Nagoya area in Aichi prefecture).
The first head of the Maeda clan was Toshie Maeda. He climbed the social ladder of Samurai society, and he became the feudal lord of Kaga Province(today’s Ishikawa prefecture). He had a vast rice fief that fed 100 million grown-up adults, which is called Hyakuman Goku. The Maeda clan was one of the most influential families in Samurai history. Toshie Maeda had a close tie with Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Since Yukimitsu lived in Kaga domain, he might have served the Maeda clan.
The letter of Sanscrit and Kurikara Ken are engraved on the blade. The letter means Fudo Myo-o (不動明王, acalanātha). Fudo Myo-o is one of the objects of worship in Buddhism. According to a theory, it is the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来, Mahāvairocana, the principal image of esoteric Buddhism). Kurikara Ken (倶利伽羅剣)is the sword Fudo Myo-o carries in his right hand to cut evil. Fudo My o-o’s sword has been considered to punish sin, cut off worldly desires, and achieve training. Fudo Myo-o is a motif with miraculous virtues. The original owner who ordered this blade from Yukimitsu might have had a strong belief in Buddism.
It is appraised as Tokubetsu Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, especially worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). The blade has been preserved well and comes with a beautiful set of Koshirae(decorative sword mounting).
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)：64.8 cm (25.5 inches)
Curvature(Sori)：1.6 cm(0.63 inches)
The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process
visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process
Nakago：Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword.
Japanese swordsmiths left the black rust on the tang because it prevents red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, and it is a great indicator for a Japanese sword specialist to estimate when the sword was forged. Based on the Nakago Shape, this blade was shortened(Suriage).
Koshirae: Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya(Sabbard), Tsuka( Handle), Tsuba(Handguard).
Fuchi-Kashira：A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.
This Kashira has finished with the plain design, and the Fuchi is decorated with the Nanako-Ji technique. The ground of this Fuchi was hit by the Nanako-Ji Tagane (魚子地鏨, chisel used for this technique). It makes delicate fish egg-shaped protrusions on the entire surface of the Tsuba. The exact sizes of particles are arranged regularly. Its quality shows us the maker’s skill.
Tsuka and Menuki：Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
It is challenging to judge what the motif of this Menuki is. Probably a kind of animal is designed. The gold color metal is inlaid on some parts.
Tsuba and Habaki：Tsuba is the handguard for the Japanese Sword and Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped.
An antique Tsuba made from iron. There are several dents that have a kind of flower or bird shape. These dents might have been made by debossing.
Saya： Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword.
Kougai：Kougai is the equipment for Samurai to arrange or fix his hair style.
This type of Kougai is called Wari-Kougai (割笄) because it is divided into two. Therefore, it was used not only for smoothing one’s hair but also was used as chopsticks. We could slightly see decorative designs that might have been made from brass. However, most of them have flaked off due to aging. Initially, it might have had an elegant golden pattern.
Authentication Paper：NBTHK TOKUBETSU Hozon Certificate for the blade
NBTHK, also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the blade on June 25th in the second year of Reiwa(2020). They appraised it as Tokubetsu Hozon Touken, the blade especially worth preserving for Japanese society. The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you request.
Registration Number : Tokyo 166485
The Board of Education in Tokyo prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword . In order to obtain this paper, the sword needs to be traditionally hand forged. With this paper, its owner can legally own an authentic Japanese sword in Japan.
Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.
【Japanese Sword& Export Process】
The Japanese swords we deal with are hand-forged edged swords made in Japan. It was made from the traditional carbon steel called TAMAHAGANE(玉鋼). Samurai Museum is familiar with the proper legal procedure for an antique/ authentic Japanese sword to be exported from Japan. We have sent more than 300 Japanese swords to amazing owners who appreciate its historical value.
Each Japanese sword is registered under the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Board of Education in Japan.They issue a registration paper for each Japanese sword for its owner in Japan to legally possess it. The Japanese sword with its registration paper means it was traditionally hand-forged in Japan.
To legally export the sword from Japan to other countries, we will have to apply for its permit to the Agency for Cultural Affairs(Bunkacho) and return the original registration paper to the Board of Education. It normally takes around 2-4 weeks to receive this permit after submitting required documents. And we would like you to expect at least 1-1.5 months for your order to arrive at your given address after you ordered. For more detailed info, please click here.
It is allowed for residents in Japan to own authentic Japanese swords without a special license as long as they come with registration papers. Please feel free to contact us if you are a resident of Japan, whether temporarily or permanently. We will also assist you when you leave Japan and need to obtain the export permit.
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We have shipped authentic Japanese swords to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, UK, Germany , France and Hong Kong. If you don’t live in these countries and like to order, please contact us first before making a purchase. We offer Free International Shipping as long as we can send antique Japanese swords by either EMS or FedEx(USA, Australia, Canada).
We normally ship by EMS(Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post. When we receive an order from the USA, Australia or Canada we will use FedEx instead as EMS temporarily stops shipping from Japan to those countries due to COVID-19.
We will send you a tracking number for your order as soon as we hand it to the post office/FedEx. We will put 100 % insurance on the shipping document without any extra charge. Based on the total amount, there might be a duty tax or other fee for you to pay, depending on the countries. We use package cushioning to protect the item and put it in a PVC pipe, which is one of the most secure packages because of its durability.
It will normally takes 5-14 days for the item to arrive at your given address after we dispatch it. Time of delivery is estimated as accurately as possible by the carrier but does not take into account any delays beyond our control such as by inclement weather, post office holiday seasons.
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【How to make sure the condition】
Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision. It is essential for us to know that you are happy with your choice of a sword. and we are prepared to use the best of our ability to serve you.
【The Art of Nihonto(Japanese Sword)】
Samurai’s history is a profound, eloquent legacy of ancient Japanese warriors in which millions of people worldwide are being fascinated. If you like to find out the art of Nihonto, please click here.
【A Guide to Japanese Sword Maintenance】
After acquiring an genuine Japanese sword, it is also important to know how to take good care of it. Here is the special video for you. Mr. Paul Martin, Japanese sword expert, shows you how to give proper maintenance to your sword. When you purchase a Japanese sword from us, you can get a Free sword maintenance kit, which appears in this video.
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