Description:

East Asia, Japan, early Edo Period, ca. 1600s CE. A beautiful steel wakizashi, a traditional Osaka Shinto style sword with a blade length of 19.3 inches (49 cm) and attributed to Heianjo Fujiwara Sukenobu. Included is the plain wood shirasaya, storage scabbard. This sword was examined by the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword (NBTHK) and includes Tokubetsu Kicho Token papers. The certificate was issued on the 11th October of Showa 44 (1969 CE) and it specifies that the sword is a wakizashi of 49.2 cm blade length, and signed by Heianjo Fujiwara Sukenobu. These is no information about this swordsmith that we could find. Please see extended description below. The wakizashi paired with the longer katana sword marked the wearer as a samurai. This shorter sword was seen as an auxiliary weapon, also used for fighting in close quarters. Wakizashi could also be worn by non-samurai if worn alone, and members of the merchant class for protection. Size in sheath: 28" L x 1.75" W (71.1 cm x 4.4 cm); blade: 19.3" L x 1.2" W (49 cm x 3 cm)

A controversy involving the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword (NBTHK) primarily revolved around issues with their sword certification process, particularly the issuance of "green papers." These certificates, produced from the 1950s to the 1980s. During this period, some NBTHK branch offices reportedly had lapses in their authentication processes, leading to certificates that were either inaccurate or not properly vetted. This specific NBTHK certificate, dated 1969, falls within the timeframe of these concerns. As such, collectors and experts often recommend exercising judgment and, if necessary, seeking re-certification or expert verification.

Provenance: private Kihei, Hawaii, USA collection, purhcased from private Saitama, Japan collection, November 25, 2007

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#189510

  • Condition: Blade is very sharp, handle with care. Polished with only a few minor nicks to surface. Comes in a modern wooden shirasaya. NBTHK paperwork included.

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November 22, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000