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.
NihontoWatchNihontoWatchThis blade was signed by Saku Yo Bakkashi Hosokawa Masamori (作陽幕下士細川正守) in February, the second year of the Genji era (1865: The end of the Edo period). The signature has Kokuin (刻印: stamped signature). Saku Yo Bakkashi signifies that he was also a Samurai, and we assume he engraved these letters to show his dignity for being a Samurai. Hosokawa Masamori was active during the Koka-early Meiji era (1844-early 1870s). He was the son of Hosokawa Masayoshi, one of the most renowned swordsmiths during the late Edo period. Hosokawa Masanori＆Masayoshi His father, Hosokawa Masayoshi, had learned sword-forging techniques under the master, Suishinshi Masahide(水心子正秀), one of the most famous swordsmiths in Samurai history. Masamori learned sword-forging techniques in Edo city under master Taikei Naotane, an apprentice of Suishinshi Masahide. Masayoshi was an extremely skilled swordsmith, and he was excellent at forging blades with Choji Midare Hamon, which is the characteristic of the Bizen sword-forging style (BIZEN DEN). Masamori also mastered this excellent sword-forging technique from his father. Choji Midare Hamon is an Irregular wavy tempering line. Most of Masamori’s work reflects on Bizen Den (One of the Five Japanese sword-forging traditions). Hosokawa Masamori was famous for having a gorgeous groove (Hi: 樋) on his creations. Background This sword was forged in the second month of Genji 2 (元治二年, 1865), during the Bakumatsu (幕末)—the final years of the Tokugawa shogunate. Japan was undergoing intense political change as the shogunate struggled to maintain its authority amid domestic opposition and growing pressure from Western powers. During 1865, the Chōshū domain became a renewed focus of resistance to the shogunate. Following the domain’s submission to the first punitive expedition in 1864, forces led by Takasugi Shinsaku helped bring an anti-shogunate faction to power. Later in 1865, a second expedition against Chōshū received imperial approval, setting the stage for the fighting that would break out the following year. These developments helped pave the way for the Satsuma–Chōshū Alliance of 1866 and the eventual collapse of Tokugawa rule. Foreign relations also reached a turning point. In 1865, Emperor Kōmei granted formal approval to the commercial treaties with Western powers, which had been a major source of political conflict. Made just three years before the Meiji Restoration of 1868, this blade belongs to a period when the samurai’s political and military world was approaching a profound transformation. Appraisal This Katana blade was appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token (特別保存刀剣). It was issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication papers were only given to authentic Japanese swords, well preserved and high quality with artistic value. *Please keep in mind that there is Kitae Kizu and chip on the blade. Nakago The tang also features sujikai-yasuri (筋違鑢), a pattern of diagonal file marks. These marks help provide grip within the handle and serve a decorative purpose, reflecting the swordsmith’s craftsmanship. Fuchi-Kashira This fuchi-kashira is also decorated with fuji-karakusa (藤唐草) motif, creating a sense of visual unity. Tsuka and Menuki One menuki features a silver-colored motif resembling a spiral shell alongside an elongated design that appears to be tied with a cord. The other displays a rounded, gold-colored motif reminiscent of a fruit, accompanied by feather-like decoration. The motifs are rendered in relief, with fine lines defining their textures and details. Gold- and silver-colored accents contrast with the dark background, highlighting the designs. Tsuba and Habaki This iron tsuba features a namako (sea cucumber) design, with two large, curved openings on either side of the central blade opening. These stylized forms evoke the shape of sea cucumbers rather than depicting them realistically. Created using sukashi-bori (透かし彫り, openwork carving), the design gives the tsuba a simple yet distinctive appearance. Saya *Please keep in mind that there are a couple of damage on this Saya due to its age. This Saya is covered with black lacquer. Due to its high waterproof effect, lacquer has been used since ancient times in Asia. The blade of a Japanese sword is made of iron, and moisture is the greatest enemy of iron. For the purpose of carrying the blade without degrading it, people devised a method of coating the scabbard with lacquer. To prevent not only moisture but also rain and snow from penetrating the inside of the scabbard, it was necessary to apply multiple layers of lacquer. The Nushi (塗師, lacquerers) was born precisely because advanced techniques were required to handle the complicated processes. Authentication Paper 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 Katana blade on May 7th in the 22nd year of the Heisei (2010) . It means the blade worth preserving for Japanese society. Registration Number The Board of Education in Tochigi prefecture issued a registration paper for the Katana blade.
Offered by Samurai Museum
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.
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 siteReturns/exchanges limited to defects caused by shipping (except willful misconduct or gross negligence by the company); customers must contact within 72 hours of receiving the product.
¥1,520,000