This sword has been sold.

Overview (full text description follows photos)

Photos (click for larger view)

A signed and dated blade by Kaga no Kuni Takahira 2nd generation

2nd month in the 5th year of Enpo (February, 1677)

Above: A view of the beautiful masame jihada (straight wood grain body)

Fascinatingly this sword was in part made using imported steel from Portuguese or Spanish merchant ships. This would have been a rare and exotic achievement in the 17th century.

A most unique gold leaf habaki design pattern

Below: A complete Edo-period matching koshirae with a dragon theme

2012 is the “Year of the Dragon” giving the sword extra special significance

Above: A close look at the tsuba (guard) of the sword

A fine tsuba (guard) with a 3-claw Japanese dragon theme

Take hold of one very special dragon fuchi (collar)

Note: Japanese dragons have 3 claws, Chinese dragons have 4

Above and below: The dragon slithers its way around the fuchi

Above: A close look at the cleverly crafted dragon on the kashira (pommel) of the sword

Above: 2nd month in the 5th year of Enpo (February, 1677)

Below: Kaga no Kuni Ju Tsujimura Denuemon Takahira Saku (outside longer column)

The inside kanji (南蛮鉄造之) reads “Namban Tetsu Tsukuri” (made using imported steel)

Below: A closer look at the hamon (temper line)

Below: The elegant silk bag for the sword with gold leaves representing health and longevity

Above: This sword is certified NBTHK Hozon (worthy of conservation)

Below: The sword’s torokusho (registration card)

Description:

“I made a personal visit to the respected NBTHK museum in Yoyogi and showed one of the curators this particular Takahira wakizashi. You could tell that curators don’t often get ‘too excited’ about Japanese swords as they have literally seen them all…

I have to say though that he was rather impressed with the fact that this sword was signed with “Nanban tetsu” (foreign-made steel).

The curator explained to me that the museum has performed metallurgical tests on swords with Nanban tetsu in the past. And what they discovered is that a relatively small percentage of the actual steel is “foreign steel”.

Think of it as a special mixture, delivering unique results that hold a rare and admirable artistic characteristics. It would have been far too expensive to forge using only Nanban tetsu, plus the results would likely not be as desirable as when forging with primarily Japanese iron.”