A NAMINOHIRA YOSHIYASU KATANA WITH CUSTOM KOSHIRAE
This sword has been sold to a private collector.
Overview (full text description follows photos)
Type: Katana (signed and in original condition)
Item No.: ujka008
Provenance: This sword was displayed in a museum in Chiba
Swordsmith: Naminohira Yoshiyasu
Period: Bunmei period (circa 1469)
Location: Satsuma province (Kyushu)
Length: 62.1cm
Curvature: 1.5cm
Hamon: Sudare-ba (straight)
Koshirae: A beautiful custom-made set of koshirae mounts for the client
Sayagaki: The shirasya has been signed and authenticated by Kozan-sensei
Certification: NBTHK TOKUBETSU HOZON (A sword designated especially worthy of preservation by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword)
Included: NBTHK certificate (brown paper), koshirae (mountings), shirasaya scabbard, traditional katana carry bags, sword maintenance kit, illustrated maintenance guide, sword stand, full exportation support to send sword to home country
Photos (click for larger view)
*All photos taken professionally by Eric Bossick for Unique Japan
Signed: Naminohira Yoshiyasu (very rare to see a Naminohira sword with a signature)
A close look at the Masame (straight grain body of steel)
Above: The sword’s gorgeous gold habaki (collar)
Above and Below: A most impressive koshirae custom built for the client
This sword was one of the first katanas made exclusively for one-handed combat (known as: “Katate-uchi”)
Nami means “wave”, therefore it was decided that this Naminohira sword would have a ‘wave’ inspired koshirae
A closer look at the waves on either side of the tsuba and on the fuchi (below)
The menuki (below) are a set of 3 Shisa lions, protecting the sword from evil spirits
The fuchi-kashira (collar and pommel) have been given NBTHK Hozon conservation status
Below: The sword is signed by Kozan-sensei authenticating the piece
Above and below: The special katana program from the Chiba Museum
Above: NBTHK TOKUBETSU HOZON certificate (A sword designated as Especially Worthy of Preservation by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword.)
Below: NBTHK HOZON certificate (Fuchi-kashira designated as Worthy of Preservation by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword.)
Above: A lovely Japanese silk bag holds the katana safe
Above: The sword’s torokusho (registration card).
Description:
A genuine signed Naminohira sword is always such a treat because of their sheer limited numbers.
The katana’s shorter length is very significant as it reflects the earliest periods when warriors began to fight one-handed, referred as “Katateuchi.”
Many older and hence longer swords were shortened to this optimum length during the 15th and 16th century, but this sword was crafted specifically at 62cm.
This katana was featured in a very important book in the industry from Edo Period called, “Kozan Oshigata Shu (光山押形集).” (Mr. Kozan signed the saya with sumi-e ink to designate its importance and authenticity, which this alone, is valuable.)
The sword was even displayed in a museum in Chiba for a special sword event.
Naminohira’s factory is in Satsuma, which is now in Kagoshima prefecture. It’s celebrated history begun in the late Heian period (around 11th Century) and had flourished for a long time until the Samurai era was complete.
Naminohira swords have a really distinct grainy look to the jihada (body of steel). Beautiful!
Naminohira blades were coveted by Japanese Naval commanders and officers because of its meaning. Nami 波 means waves and Hira 平means flat, so Naminohira blades possessed a good omen for Navy as it meant “to sail on calm seas“.
As this sword was originally housed in its shirasaya only, a spectacular katana koshirae mount with Edo-period clasps was crafted to specifications shared with the private collector.
This is sword I am very proud of, a true work of art in every respect. PK
Questions?
To request further information or secure immediate ownership of a sword on Unique Japan, please email me, Pablo Kuntz.
For steps toward ownership including all payment options, visit 5 Easy Steps to Owning an Authentic Japanese Samurai Sword.
ALL SAMURAI SWORDS from Unique Japan are GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC and come with a 3-DAY WORRY FREE Inspection Period.
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At each show, we have dozens of beautiful Japanese swords to you to discover and secure for your immediate ownership.
If you cannot make it to a show, but you see something you would like to own from our website please contact me for purchase inquiries.
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.