Tokyo Nihonto
Antique Japanese Katana Sword by Ishido School - NBTHK Hozon
Antique Japanese Katana Sword by Ishido School - NBTHK Hozon
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USA SHIPPING ⚠️ From 9 oct. 2025
USA SHIPPING ⚠️ From 9 oct. 2025
Order, Japan Post (EMS) has temporarily suspended all commercial deliveries to the United States.
As a result, we are now shipping through alternative private carriers. Unfortunately, these services are considerably more expensive. Therefore, we kindly ask our U.S. customers to contribute a portion of the shipping cost — $200 per order.
Please note that delivery times will also be longer, as we must obtain a custom shipping quote from the carrier for each sword. We currently estimate a 3–4 month delivery window.
We sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support during this time.
- Signature (Mei): 無銘（石堂） Mumei (Attributed to Ishidō)
- Swordsmith: Ishidō School
- School / Tradition: Bizen-den (Edo Ishidō lineage)
- Period / Province: Early Edo Period (Shinto) / Musashi Province (Edo)
- Certificate: NBTHK Hozon (保存刀剣)
- Mounting: High-quality Koshirae and Shirasaya
- Blade Length (Nagasa): 71.0 cm
- Curvature (Sori): 2.2 cm
- Mekugi-ana: 2
- Shape: Shinogi-zukuri with a deep, elegant curvature
- Jihada: Fine Itame-hada with Mokume-nagare
- Hamon: Vibrant Choji-midare with active Ashi and a bright Nioikuchi
This is a magnificent Katana certified NBTHK Hozon, attributed to the prestigious Ishidō school. Boasting a commanding 71.0 cm nagasa and an exceptionally deep 2.2 cm sori, this blade exhibits a graceful, tachi-like silhouette that was highly favored by high-ranking samurai during the early Edo period. The blade is mumei (unsigned), a common occurrence for high-quality blades that were shortened (o-suriage) or originally intended for high-status attribution.
The Ishidō smiths were renowned for their ability to revive the magnificent Bizen-den styles of the Kamakura period, particularly the flamboyant Ichimonji tradition. This blade showcases that mastery through a vivid and active hamon characterized by clove-shaped (choji) undulations and a clear, healthy steel texture (jihada).
Koshirae Details
The sword is housed in a refined set of traditional mountings. The saya is finished in a classic kuroro (deep black polished lacquer), offering a timeless and dignified aesthetic. The tsuka (hilt) is wrapped in a distinctive deep-green silk ito over high-grade rayskin.
The tsuba is an iron sukashi (openwork) design featuring the Imperial Chrysanthemum (Kiku) and Paulownia (Kiri) motifs, symbols of authority and honor. The kashira is crafted from a rich copper-gold alloy (suaka or shakudo) featuring a high-relief depiction of autumn grain or millet stalks, symbolizing a bountiful harvest and prosperity.
Swordsmith Background
The Ishidō school originally hailed from Omi province but gained its greatest fame in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the 17th century. Known as the "Edo Ishidō" lineage, these smiths—including masters like Mitsuhira and Tsunemitsu—specialized in recreating the complex, flower-like choji-midare hamon of the ancient Bizen masters. Their work was so technically proficient that many Ishidō blades were historically mistaken for authentic Kamakura-era Ichimonji works.
School History
As leaders of the Bizen-den revival in the Shinto (New Sword) era, the Ishidō school represented the pinnacle of artistic sword making in the Shogun’s capital. Their blades are characterized by a combination of visual splendor and robust construction. With a 2.2 cm curvature, this particular piece stands out as an exceptionally elegant example of the school's output, offering the presence of a battlefield weapon with the refined finish of a piece of fine art.
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Payment
You can pay by Bank card or Bank transfer. If you wish to use bank transfer please contact us using the form bellow with the name of the sword you are willing to buy.
Customs and Taxes
・Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.
・Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.
・These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up - do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.
Shipping and Return
- Swords are shipped from Tokyo, Japan. We manage all the procedures to export the sword.
- You can't return sword to Japan because procedures are too strict.
- We work with a shipping company that have experience with Nihonto so you don't have to worry.
- Please check the rules of your country before importing the sword. We do not take any responsibility, including (not limited to) refund, due to the above reasons.
- We can NOT cancel an order once, we already applied for the export authorization. As this document is made to customer name.
We have shipped authentic Japanese swords to the USA, UK, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Hong Kong, and Australia. If you don’t live in these countries and like to order, please contact us first before purchasing. We normally ship by EMS (Express Mail Service) provided by Japan Post.
If you live in the UK, please contact us BEFORE order.
Export Procedure (We manage it)
・All our swords are registered in the Agency for Cultural Affairs as artwork and The Board of Education(Cultural properties protection Committee); therefore each sword has the registration card, issued by the Board of Education.
・After receiving the full payment of the items,we return the registration card and get the permission from Ministry of Cultural Affairs to export the swords legally from Japan. It will take about 1 to 3 months for that step.
・After the receiving the permission, we will inform you by email and send the items immediately.