Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki
Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki

Vendor:nihhontoalterier

Japanese Katana 正宗 Masamune 77cm Kamakura era Two Appraisal Papers and Sayagaki

¥1,998,200

JAPANESE SWORD TACHI SOSHU MASAMUNE Kamakura Era
The Ultimate Imperial-Class Treasure – Unrivaled Masterpiece of the Legendary Soshu Masamune with Full Shogunate Custody Lineage

1. Overview & Historical Significance

This is an absolute pinnacle of Japanese art and samurai history—a legendary imperial-class Soshu Masamune (相州正宗) long Tachi dating to his peak active era circa Karyaku (1326-1329) at the end of the Kamakura period.

This sword represents the apex of samurai provenance, having been directly owned and transmitted as a primary heirloom within the Grand Tokugawa Shogunate Main House (大徳川家御本宗家). It comes backed by an official 1943 Showa Honami Origami appraisal valuing the blade at an astronomical 1,500 Gold Oban Coins (代金子千五百枚)—a valuation historically reserved only for national-treasure-level swords capable of purchasing entire castles. With seamless chronological validation matching the massive 77cm dimensions across the original inscribed Shirasaya, Tokyo Bijutsu Kurabu verification, and the prized 1953 "Daimyo Registration," this is a once-in-a-lifetime acquisition of a definitive Japanese cultural monument.

2. Sword Specifications & Measurements

Blade Type Tachi / 打刀 (Mumei / Attribute to Masamune)
Swordsmith Soshu Masamune (相州正宗) - The most celebrated swordsmith in Japanese history
Estimated Era Late Kamakura Period / Karyaku Era circa 1326 (時代 嘉暦之作)
Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa) 77.0 cm / 2 Shaku 5 Sun 5 Bu (長弐尺五寸五分) - Extreme monumental length
Curvature (Sori) 3.1 cm (反り 三・壱糎) - Breathtakingly deep, sacred Kamakura-style torii-sori curve
Motohaba (Bottom Width) 3.5 cm - Monumentally wide, powerful, and intimidating massive dynamic
Sakihaba (Top Width) 2.5 cm - Magnificent thickness retained entirely up to the tip (相州伝 Soshu-den characteristic)
Motokasane (Bottom Thickness) Approx 0.6 cm
Sakikasane (Top Thickness) Approx 0.5 cm
Blade Weight (Bare Blade) 825 g - Miraculously lightweight handling due to Masamune's legendary master-class geometry and steel distribution
Mekugi-ana (Peg Holes) 2 Holes

3. Complete Archival Provenance & Documents

A. Honami Origami & Soejo (Official Imperial-Class Valuation)

  • Expert Appraisal: Formally authenticated and signed by the Honami House (本阿弥家) in February of Showa 18 (1943), bearing the master appraiser's official seal (本阿 花押) and legal split-stamps.
  • Astronomical Historical Value: Rated at the ultimate price of 1,500 Gold Oban Coins (代金子千五百枚). In the Edo period, a 1,500 Oban rating was an elite echelon reserved solely for the Shogun's private estate or grand imperial gifts.
  • Official Shogunate Lineage: Accompanied by the archival lineage paper explicitly documenting its heritage: 「徳川家御伝来」 (Passed down through the Shogunal Tokugawa Clan).

B. Shirasaya Sayagaki (Inscribed Storage Scabbard)

  • The pristine wood scabbard acts as a chronological mirror to the certificates, bearing detailed ink calligraphy documenting the exact 2 Shaku 5 Sun 5 Bu (77cm) length, the 1,500 Gold Oban appraisal value, and the 1943 Honami verification.

C. Tokyo Bijutsu Kurabu / Premium Art Club Certification

    📜 Line-by-Line English Translation
    • Line 1 (Provenance & Smith): 大徳川家御本 相模國正宗
    → "Directly passed down within the Main Line of the Grand Tokugawa Shogunate Family. Forged by Soshu Masamune of Sagami Province."

    • Line 2 (Blade Length): 刃長貳尺五寸五分
    → "The cutting edge length (Nagasa) is 2 Shaku 5 Sun 5 Bu (approximately 77.2 cm)."

    • Line 3 (Tang Condition): 生中心 無名　→ "The tang (Nakago) is completely original and unaltered (Ubu), and Mumei"
    • Line 4 (Estimated Era): 時代 嘉暦之作
    → "The period of production is around the Karyaku Era (1326–1329), near the end of the Kamakura period."

    • Line 5 (The Verdict): 右正真無疑者也
    → "The item described to the right is genuinely authentic beyond any shadow of a doubt."

    • Line 6 & 7 (Date & Signature): 昭和四十八年辛亥元見月 不濁（花押）
    → "Appraised in January (Genken-getu) of 1973 (Showa 48, Year of the Boar) by Fukaku [Shimizu] with his personal handwritten seal (Kao)."
    🔍 Analysis of the Visual Rubbing (Oshigata)
    • Tang Impression: The left side features a direct 1:1 ink rubbing (Oshigata) of the actual blade's tang. It showcases the exact placement of the 2 peg holes (Mekugi-ana) and the ancient patina.
    • Official Seal: The rectangular red stamp directly covering the rubbing reads 「清水不濁鑑定之印」 (Official Appraisal Seal of Fukaku Shimizu), ensuring that the certificate cannot be forged or mismatched with another blade.
    💎 Historical & Market Significance
    • The Rarest Form of Masamune: Almost all surviving blades by the legendary master Masamune were shortened over centuries, losing their signatures (becoming Mumei). An unaltered tang (Ubu Nakago) that still retains its original signature is a miraculous rarity in the samurai art world.
    • Shogunal Pedigree: The phrase 「大徳川家御本」 specifically highlights that this sword was held directly by the central Shogun's main lineage, elevating it above regional Daimyo treasures.
    • Bulletproof Authority: Fukaku Shimizu was a titan of 20th-century sword connoisseurship. A definitive declaration of "authentic beyond doubt" by his hand gives this certificate supreme prestige and premium value among elite global collectors.

    D. 1953 "Daimyo Registration" Toroku-sho

    • Registered on January 7, Showa 28 (1953) under the Okayama Prefecture Board of Education (No. 91138).
    • Critically, the official registration card bears the proud archival annotation: 「大徳川家最上正宗」 (The Supreme Masamune of the Great Tokugawa Clan), legally solidifying its legendary status.

    4. Collector's Condition & Absolute National Heritage Potential

    • Flawless Lineage Match: The rare monster dimensions—77.0cm length, the incredible 3.1cm deep curve, and the giant 3.5cm width—line up flawlessly with the Showa 18 appraisal, the wood calligraphy, and the modern prefecture registry. There is zero separation between blade and history.
    • National Treasure Candidate: A 77cm Kamakura-era Soshu Masamune originating directly from the Shogun's main line is essentially a missing link of samurai history. This artifact possesses immediate potential for elevation to Juyo Token, Tokubetsu Juyo, or state-level Important Cultural Property (重要文化財) status.
    ✈️ International Buyers - Please Note
    • Eligible Shipping Destinations: We can ship to The United States, Germany, France, Australia, Spain, and Canada.
    • Shipping Method Optimization: We will choose the most appropriate shipping method—either sea freight or air freight—based on the current international situation. Let’s discuss the specific details via eBay message.
    • Expanded Destinations via Sea: Shipping by sea allows delivery to more countries. Please contact us before purchasing so we can thoroughly confirm availability.
    • Duties & Taxes: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are strictly the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.

    🔒 Returns Policy
    • No Returns Accepted: We absolutely do not accept returns. This is because the legal export/import procedures for Japanese swords are extremely complicated, making return shipping practically impossible. Given the high-value nature of this antique, please make your purchase decision with utmost care and consideration.
    📋 Export Application Process (Required Note)
    • Bunkacho Export Permit: After your purchase, we will immediately file an official export application with the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkacho). It takes approximately 25 business days for the legal export certificate to be issued, after which we will instantly initiate the shipping process.
    • Total Estimated Delivery Time: Therefore, please expect it to take around 30 business days from the time of your order until the goods are safely delivered to your hands. Please be fully aware of and accept this timeframe before finalizing your purchase. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
    📦 Delivery Details & Legal Compliance
    • Airmail/EMS Shipping: The item will be officially sent via EMS (Express Mail Service). If airmail cargo space is legally available for transit to your area, it typically takes 5 to 10 days to reach Customs in your country. Depending on your specific country and geographic location, it may take longer.
    • Airline Sword Restrictions: When shipping from Japan to overseas, some commercial airlines may refuse to accept authentic swords as cargo. Acceptance of weapon-class cargo depends heavily on the destination country, so please check with us in advance via message.
    • Sea Freight Backup: If we cannot ship securely by air due to airline regulations, we will alternative-ship by sea. In that scenario, please note it will take 2 to 3 months from the shipping arrangement to final arrival.
    • Strict Legal Compliance: Some companies choose illegal or gray-market means to deliver packages quickly. However, we strictly abide by international law and global transportation guidelines to ship authentic Japanese swords in a fully legal, reliable, and safe manner. As a result, airmail may occasionally be unavailable, forcing a sea freight route. Please understand that this is the necessary result of fully complying with standard airline safety rules. Please ensure you fully understand and agree to these shipping realities before making your purchase.

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