Type: Katana (Unsigned)

Item No.: ujka017

Swordsmith: Houka

Location: Bingo (Hiroshima)

Period: Nambokucho Period (1333-1392)

Length: 66.7cm

Hamon: Suguha (straight)

Certification: NBTHK TOKUBETUSU HOZON (A Sword Especially Worthy of Conservation Certificate from the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword)

Included: Silk brocade carry bag, sword maintenance kit, illustrated maintenance guide, sword stand, full exportation support to send sword to home country

This rare and radiant katana dates back 650 years to a significant time in Japanese history called the Nambokucho period – also known as the Northern and Southern Courts period), spanning from 1336 to 1392.

During this period, there existed a Northern Imperial Court in Kyoto, and a Southern Imperial Court in Nara. Ideologically, the two courts fought bitterly for fifty years, with the South giving up to the North in 1392.

You’ll notice a bo-hi (groove) that extends the full length of the blade. The primary purpose of the groove was to lighten the blade, so as to give it better balance and control for the Samurai.

The hamon is a marvelous suguha (straight) and the body is koitame hada (tight grain) and nagarehada (flowing grain). Tight grained bodies made for stronger swords, thus more effective weapons.

This sword was judged NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon (A sword especially worthy of preserving issued by the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords).

Houka is the swordsmith given credit to this piece by the NBTHK. It is unsigned because the nakago (tang) was cut down from its original length (likely 15cm longer or more) thus losing the original engraved name. This is normal, as fighting styles changed in latter years from horseback to cavalry (hand-to-hand combat) which demanded shorter blades.

All in all, this is a sword for the discerning collector. A prized possession that holds a lifetime of memories that shaped Japan’s history.

We recommend investing in your own custom koshirae (mounting) for this sword to bring an extra amount of personalization to the piece.

A 4% discount is offered for payments made directly to Unique Japan by direct bank transfer or in cash (dollars or yen).   An attractive layaway plan is also available as listed below. Contact us to purchase this sword.

Unique Japan is proud to offer a convenient layaway plan for our valued customers.   If you are interested in purchasing this sword on layaway, simply contact us here for more information. The general terms of our layaway plan are outlined here.

If you are an American citizen living on Okinawa, we encourage layaway plans to use the services of G.I. Bill Pay, whom we have an account with.   They can create a cost-effective payment plan that works best for you.

If you are interested in this sword and others from our collection, please contact us to book an appointment. Private meetings are generally arranged within the Tokyo area.

Unique Japan is able to ship swords from Japan to countries all over the world.   All legal exportation paperwork is included with every purchase.  Please allow about 4 weeks for us to process and ship an order from Japan.  Dealers welcome.