{"product_id":"authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-shinshinto-era-tanto-nobukazu-nbthk-hozon-token-certificate-tozando","title":"Authentic Japanese Sword for Sale - Shinshinto Era Tanto - Nobukazu, NBTHK Hozon Token Certificate | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAntique Japanese Yoroidōshi Tantō, signed \"Unju Fujiwara Nobukazu\" (運寿藤原信一作), dated Keiō 3 (1867) — NBTHK Hozon Tōken, in a period kizami-saya mounting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAn ubu, signed armor-piercing tantō of massive thickness by the Bakumatsu master Nobukazu of Tanba — u-no-kubi-zukuri form, with a spirited gold boar menuki and a matching kozuka\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare, signed (\u003cem\u003ezaimei\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003cstrong\u003eyoroidōshi\u003c\/strong\u003e (armor-piercing tantō) with an unshortened (\u003cem\u003eubu\u003c\/em\u003e) tang has arrived, by the master smith \u003cstrong\u003eUnju Fujiwara Nobukazu (運寿藤原信一)\u003c\/strong\u003e, who worked in Tanba Province, dated the first year… \u003cem\u003e[Keiō 3, 1867]\u003c\/em\u003e. It carries the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai) \"Hozon Tōken\" certification, and is housed in a full period mounting — a characterful \u003cem\u003ekizami-saya\u003c\/em\u003e (ribbed scabbard) fitted with a lively gold \u003cstrong\u003eboar\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003einoshishi\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003cem\u003ede-menuki\u003c\/em\u003e. It is a solid, authentic piece from end to end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has been given a fine polish and is in superb condition in both steel and temper. One small area of thin black rust, about 1 cm across, is found roughly 6 cm above the \u003cem\u003emune-machi\u003c\/em\u003e (back notch); it does not significantly detract from appreciation, and reads instead as a touch of honest age. The \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is a finely and densely packed \u003cem\u003eko-itame\u003c\/em\u003e (small wood-grain) covered with fine \u003cem\u003eji-nie\u003c\/em\u003e, giving a very clear, crisp texture. The temper line is based on a dignified, straight \u003cem\u003esuguha\u003c\/em\u003e, mixed with a very shallow \u003cem\u003enotare\u003c\/em\u003e and delicate \u003cem\u003eko-midare\u003c\/em\u003e, the temper edge covered with fine, even \u003cem\u003enie\u003c\/em\u003e that glows brightly. Rather than relying on flamboyance, it captivates through the quality of the forging and the clarity of the edge — a work full of the refinement one expects of a fine Bakumatsu smith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a robust \u003cstrong\u003eyoroidōshi\u003c\/strong\u003e (armor-piercer) design, built with an extremely thick \u003cem\u003ekasane\u003c\/em\u003e of about 9 mm against a base width of only 26.2 mm. It is further shaped in \u003cem\u003eu-no-kubi-zukuri\u003c\/em\u003e — the back (mune) side pared down from the middle of the blade toward the tip — and carries a graceful \u003cem\u003esaki-zori\u003c\/em\u003e (curvature toward the point). The combination gives it the overwhelming solidity and sharp, purposeful stance of a custom-forged (\u003cem\u003echūmon-uchi\u003c\/em\u003e) blade, uniting massive thickness with a keen, elegant silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOn the smith — Unju Fujiwara Nobukazu (運寿藤原信一)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNobukazu was a master smith celebrated for his outstanding forging skill in Bakumatsu-period Tanba Province (present-day central Kyoto \/ eastern Hyōgo). He was a pupil of \u003cstrong\u003eIshidō Unju Koreichi\u003c\/strong\u003e. The tang bears a clear date of \"Keiō 3\" (1867), conveying that this is a practical yet highly artistic work made against the turbulent backdrop of the closing years of the Edo period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe mounting (koshirae)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade comes in a full period mounting: a characterful \u003cem\u003ekizami-saya\u003c\/em\u003e (finely ribbed\/carved scabbard) fitted with a spirited gold \u003cstrong\u003eboar\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ede-menuki\u003c\/em\u003e. A matching \u003cem\u003ekozuka\u003c\/em\u003e (small utility-knife handle) is also included, and the overall state of preservation is very good. The pairing of a solid, functional blade with a chic, refined ribbed mounting heightens its appeal as a collector's piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA powerful u-no-kubi-zukuri form with a 9 mm thickness and a beautiful saki-zori, an \u003cem\u003eubu\u003c\/em\u003e signature bearing the Bakumatsu date of Keiō 3, a period mounting set off by its boar menuki, and NBTHK Hozon certification — a flawless piece in every respect, and a must-see for enthusiasts and collectors alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tantō (短刀) — yoroidōshi (armor-piercer), u-no-kubi-zukuri; ubu, zaimei\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmith:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unju Fujiwara Nobukazu (運寿藤原信一), Tanba Province; pupil of Ishidō Unju Koreichi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e \"Unju Fujiwara Nobukazu saku\" (運寿藤原信一作); dated \"Keiō sannen hachigatsu-hi\" (慶応三年八月日 \/ a day in the 8th month of Keiō 3, 1867)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e Finely packed ko-itame with ji-nie, very clear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suguha-based with shallow notare and delicate ko-midare; fine, even, bright nie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength of edge (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 20.3 cm (approx. 7.99 in \/ 6 sun 7 bu)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e Saki-zori (curved toward the tip)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 26.2 mm (approx. 1.03 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.9 mm (approx. 0.35 in) — exceptionally thick\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade only):\u003c\/strong\u003e 190 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade in mounting, without scabbard):\u003c\/strong\u003e 360 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Finely polished; one small (~1 cm) thin black-rust spot about 6 cm above the mune-machi, otherwise excellent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting (koshirae):\u003c\/strong\u003e Period kizami-saya with gold boar (inoshishi) de-menuki; matching kozuka included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e NBTHK Hozon Tōken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegistration No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Saitama No. 7011 (埼玉 第7011号)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53793941422443,"sku":"611-STT007011","price":650000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/saitama7011_nobukazu-_1.jpg?v=1788403564","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-shinshinto-era-tanto-nobukazu-nbthk-hozon-token-certificate-tozando","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}