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.
An early, large, sixth generation Nobutaka wakizashi. Signed, Shimizu Jinnoshin Nobutaka. Dated, Kansei go nen ni gatsu hi (a day in February 1794). He also signed Nobuteru. Shinogizukure, iroi mune, extended chu-kissaki, ubu, one mekugiana. Hawatare: 1 shaku 6 sun 5 bu (50 cm / 19.64") Motohaba: 2.73 cm. Sakihaba: 2.14 cm. Kasane: 6.3 mm. Nie deki o-gunome within o-notare, crab claw patterns, yo, and some ashi, nado. The nioi line is thicker than generally seen in Owari smiths. The jigane is a bright tight ko-itame, with a hint of masame. Masame in the shinogi ji. The boshi has koichigaiba, ko-maru and an extended kaeri. In excellent Japanese polish, shirasaya, with niju gold foil habaki. NBTHK Hozon kanteisho. Valued at 2,200,000 yen in Toko Taikan, by Tokuno. Single triangle in Nihonto Meikan, rated chusaku in Nihon Toko Jiten Shinto Hen, by Fujishiro. The Nobutaka smiths worked in Owari province, and in the Mino tradition. From Nambokucho times there was a good deal of interaction between the smiths in Owari and Mino provinces. Eighth generation Nobutaka dated works range from Kansei 5 (1794) to Bunka 2 (1805). Tight ko-itame, with a hint of masame. Masame shinogiji. Crab claw gunome within notare. NBTHK Hozon Kanteisho Toko Taikan Nihonto Maikan
Certificate reading — 銘 清水甚之進信高 寛政五年二月日
Offered by Nihonto US


















Owari · around 1736-1741
1 piece on the market now
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 siteThree day, no penalty, inspection on every item. Returns must be in the same condition as shipped. Actual costs will be charged on returned items. No restocking fee. If you did not like the item is a good enough reason for return.
Price on request