Authentic Shinto Era Katana for Sale - Mumei, NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate(Nobutaka) | Tozando

We proudly present this unsigned katana, which features a sayagaki by Sato Kanzan, a leading authority on Japanese sword appraisal, and comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords.

The blade is in excellent condition, has been polished, and is sound throughout. The jigane features a blend of itame and mokume patterns that is truly awe-inspiring. The hamon exhibits a mix of notare and gunome patterns, with a moist, lustrous nioikuchi. The active hataraki—such as yo, ashi, and tama—are vibrant, making this a sword that never ceases to captivate the viewer. The boshi has a pronounced return that extends to the center of the blade, giving it a hitatsura-style appearance.

Although unsigned, in April 1975, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords certified this work as a katana by the second-generation Nobutaka and, recognizing its exceptional value, issued a “Tokubetsu Kicho” certificate of authenticity. Speaking of the second-generation Nobutaka, he was a master swordsmith representing the Shinto period who was active in Owari Province (present-day Aichi Prefecture). He produced excellent swords from the early to mid-Edo period, and his collaborative works with the third-generation Nobutaka are also known for their exceptional quality.

He succeeded his father, the first-generation Nobutaka, and received the title “Hoki-no-kami” in 1633. He retired and became a Buddhist monk (taking the name Kanyu) in 1662, and continued to forge swords energetically until his death in 1689 at the age of 87. His swords are renowned as practical, battle-ready masterpieces cherished by samurai such as those of the Owari Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school, and are highly regarded by connoisseurs.

The sword is equipped with a high-quality shirasaya featuring a sayagaki by Sato Kanzan, a leading authority on Japanese sword appraisal. The sayagaki states that this work was crafted by the second-generation Nobutaka, indicating that Kanzan’s appraisal was conducted in the year Showa Kinoe-tora. Since the year Showa Kinoe-tora corresponds to 1974, Kanzan’s appraisal took place one year prior to the appraisal by the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords.. This sword comes with a shirasaya and if you prefer the uchigatana style koshirae, please note this in the comments section, and we will send you a catalog of koshirae options.

Enrich your collection by acquiring this Nobutaka katana, which was highly valued by the samurai of the Owari Tokugawa clan for its practicality and sturdiness.

• Blade length: 73.1 cm
• Curvature: 1.5 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 1
• Sakihaba: 19.0 mm
• Sakikasane: 4.8 mm
• Motohaba: 29.8 mm
• Motokasane: 6.3 mm
  
• Signature: No signature
• Era: Shinto
• Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jigane: Itame with Mokume mixed in
• Hamon: Notare and Gunome
• Boshi: O-maru ni Kaeru
• Weight: 760 g(blade only)
• Nakago: Ubu
  
• Koshirae: Shirasaya
• Original Registration No.: Akita 23395

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