This katana by Bitchû no Kami Tachibana Yasuhiro, forged in the early Edo period (Kanbun era), showcases a beautifully worked itame-hada with midare-utsuri and a vibrant gunome-chôji midare hamon. The ubu nakago bears the full signature and a kiku-mon stamp, indicating its prestigious origin. Currently housed in shirasaya with a gold-wrapped habaki, it is certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon.
NihontoWatchmei · Ôsaka-Ishidô · Jokyo (1684-1688) · nagasa 67.5cm · sori 1.1cm
Settsu · around 1684-1688
Fujishiro Chu-jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 76%
2 pieces on the market now
The Edo period (1615 to 1868)
For two and a half centuries of peace the sword was the warrior’s legal badge rather than his weapon. Each great city developed its own manner, Edo’s tested strength against Ōsaka’s polished brilliance, until demand thinned in the era’s last decades.
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 siteAll swords come with a three-day inspection period beginning from the date of delivery. If not satisfied, the sword may be returned within this period for a full refund of the purchase price. Outside of this period, all sales are final. Swords purchased on a layaway payment plan are not eligible for the three-day inspection period.
This katana by Bitchû no Kami Tachibana Yasuhiro, forged in the early Edo period (Kanbun era), showcases a beautifully worked itame-hada with midare-utsuri and a vibrant gunome-chôji midare hamon. The ubu nakago bears the full signature and a kiku-mon stamp, indicating its prestigious origin. Currently housed in shirasaya with a gold-wrapped habaki, it is certified NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon.
NihontoWatchmei · Ôsaka-Ishidô · Jokyo (1684-1688) · nagasa 67.5cm · sori 1.1cm
Settsu · around 1684-1688
Fujishiro Chu-jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 76%
2 pieces on the market now
The Edo period (1615 to 1868)
For two and a half centuries of peace the sword was the warrior’s legal badge rather than his weapon. Each great city developed its own manner, Edo’s tested strength against Ōsaka’s polished brilliance, until demand thinned in the era’s last decades.
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 siteAll swords come with a three-day inspection period beginning from the date of delivery. If not satisfied, the sword may be returned within this period for a full refund of the purchase price. Outside of this period, all sales are final. Swords purchased on a layaway payment plan are not eligible for the three-day inspection period.
