A SIGNED 1549 NAGAYUKI KATANA
This sword has been sold to a private collector.
Overview (full text description follows photos)
Type: Katana (signed AND dated)
Item No.: ujka049
Swordsmith: Bingo no Kuni Ju Onomichi Goami Nagayuki Saku
Dated: 2nd month in the 18th year of Tenbun (February, 1549) – Muromachi Period
Location: Bingo Province (Eastern Hiroshima)
Length: 74.5cm
Curvature: 2.1cm
Moto-haba: 3.0cm (width of the blade measured at the Habaki, collar of the blade)
Hamon: Suguha and Kogunome (straight with small waves)
Jihada: Itame Nagare (wood grain swirls)
Koshirae: Fuchi (collar) with a magnificent lobster is signed by Iwamoto Konkan (1744－1801)
Fujishiro ranking: Jo-Saku (superior swordsmith)
Signed Shirasaya: The shirasaya is signed by Dr. Kanzan Sato who noted this is an excellent sword
Included: NBTHK certificate, koshirae (mountings), traditional katana carry bag, sword maintenance kit, illustrated maintenance guide, sword stand, full exportation support to send sword to home country
Photos (click for much larger views)
*All photos taken professionally by Eric Bossick for Unique Japan
Fine rolling itame (wood grain swirls)
The hamon (temper line) is suguha (straight) with small gunome (waves)
The sword is in truly excellent condition
The Tenbun period which this sword was forged in saw the arrival of guns
and Christianity introduced to Japan by the Portuguese. A significant time in her history.
Above: Dated February (2nd month) in the 18th year of Tenbun (1549)
Above: Bingo no Kuni Ju Onomichi Goami Nagayuki Saku
Above: A powerful bo-hi (groove)
Above: A copper ni-ju habaki wrapped in gold
Above: A close look at the marvelous tsuba that compliments the katana
Below: A full length view of the koshirae (mounting) for the katana
The fuchi (collar) is signed by Iwamoto Konkan (1744－1801)
Menuki (ornamental grips) appear to be depictions of koi (carp in the sea). Carp are found in Japanese shrines and temples and are deeply revered for their long life and beauty.
Below: A close look at the sword’s kashira (pommel) made of buffalo horn
Above: The sword was signed as an authentic piece by Dr. Kanzan Sato, the highly respected author and educator of Japanese swords
Dr. Kanzan wrote that this is an ‘excellent sword’.
Above: THE RARE NBTHK KOSHU TOKUBETSU KICHO CERTIFICATE
(JUDGED EXTRAORDINARILY PRECIOUS)
Above: The sword’s torokusho (registration card)
Description:
Signed and dated in February 1549, this is a beautifully long and graceful sword crafted by Nagayuki in the Hiroshima area.
Nagayuki’s swords have attained National Treasure status in Japan. One of his swords is currently displayed at the highly respected Okayama Art Museum.
This national treasure sword was originally offered to Kibitsu Shrine in Hiroshima prefecture and was worshiped for a very long time.
Nagayuki belonged to the somewhat mysterious Goami school. Not much is known of the school, other than they worked from the Nambokucho period (1333-1392) up to the Edo period in Bingo Province (Hiroshima) in Onomichi and produced swords of tremendous quality.
There are very few swords from this school remaining and to find one signed and dated is very precious indeed.
There is a not a great deal of information known about Nagayuki himself either, his reputation and skill is forever captured in his swords.
What makes this sword extra special is that is signed and authenticated by Dr. Sato Kanzan on the shirasaya. Dr. Kanzan is the author of the book “The Japanese Sword – A Comprehensive Guide.”
The blue NBTHK KOSHU TOKBETSU KICHO CERTIFICATE is a remarkable achievement, granted only to swords near JUYO-level class.
Today, this certificate is certainly on par with NBTHK TOKUBETSU HOZON certified swords.
A rare katana that I can say is now with a very caring and proud family. PK
Questions?
To request further information on the swords listed on our website, or to discover swords that we have recently acquired simply email me, Pablo Kuntz.
For steps toward ownership including all payment options, visit 5 Easy Steps to Owning an Authentic Japanese Samurai Sword.
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We have dozens of beautiful Japanese swords to you to discover and secure immediate ownership of.
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Legal Exportation from Japan
Unique Japan has safely sent dozens of 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.