What is Kanteisho?

Kanteisho for Japanese swords is a proof of the sword's authenticity. There are various sword appraisal organizations in Japan, each of which has its own appraisal standards and methods, and their certification is based on a thorough examination of the authenticity and condition of the sword.

First, National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are recognized and issued by the Japanese Cultural Properties Protection Board. Other than that, there is also the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, known abroad as NBTHK, and Japan Sword Preservation Society(NTHK), a non-profit organization, as well as private institutions.

The most reliable institution in particular is the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, which certifies four grades: Hozon, Tokubetsu Hozon, Juyo, and Tokubetsu Juyo. However, a situation arose in which the certificate of authenticity from the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords might have been counterfeited.

Counterfeit discovered

According to the explanation of the the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, someone first requested Hozon certificate of authenticity for a certain sword in August 2013. Then, in July of the following year, the same person or another person obtained a new Hozon for that same sword. Then, in September 2009, he or she applied for a new registration for the sword to the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education under the name of the newly discovered registration. As a result, there were two separate registration for one sword. He or she then submitted a request to the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords to change the registration number of the sword, attaching the second registration to the sword.

On the other hand, a counterfeit sword, which was an exact copy of the original, had the original registration certificate attached to it, and the photo of the second certificate of authenticity was replaced with a photo of the counterfeit sword. This is how the counterfeit sword and its certificate of authenticity were created. Fortunately, the sword dealer who purchased the counterfeit sword was suspicious of its quality and checked the certificate of authenticity with the Association for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, and this situation was discovered.

The Association for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords has taken this opportunity to remind the owner to check the following items on the certificate of authenticity.

• The registration number on the certificate of authenticity must match the registration number on the registration. In the case of swords exported outside Japan, the registration number should be confirmed at the time of ordering.
  
• If the signature and the length of the sword on the certificate match, check to see if there are any differences in the actual sword.

If there is any doubt, it is best to contact the Japan Art Sword Preservation Society.

We, at Tozando, have original registration information on each of our product pages. When a certificate of authenticity is attached to a sword, we check when we receive it to make sure that the registration number matches the number on the certificate of authenticity, and then reconfirm it when inspecting before shipping. So you can rest assured that you are buying a genuine Samurai sword from Tozando.

Want to buy authentic Samurai swords directly from Japan? Then TOZANDO is your best partner!