Tokyo Nihonto
Antique Japanese Katana Sword signed Ienaga Saku - NBTHK Hozon
Antique Japanese Katana Sword signed Ienaga Saku - 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): 家長作（加州） Ienaga saku (Kashū)
- Swordsmith: Ienaga (Fujishima School)
- School / Tradition: Kashū / Fujishima lineage
- Period / Province: Early Edo period / Kaga Province
- Certificate: NBTHK Hozon (保存刀剣)
- Mounting: Period-correct Koshirae and Shirasaya
- Blade Length (Nagasa): 61.1 cm
- Curvature (Sori): 1.4 cm
- Mekugi-ana: 2
- Shape: Shinogi-zukuri
- Jihada: Well-forged Itame with areas of Masame-nagare
- Hamon: Active Gunome-midare with bright Nioikuchi
A refined Katana certified NBTHK Hozon and attributed to the swordsmith Ienaga of Kashū (Kaga Province). This blade measures 61.1 cm in nagasa with a graceful 1.4 cm sori, presenting a balanced and classic shinogi-zukuri silhouette. The tang (nakago) is zaimei (signed), bearing the clear engraving "Ienaga saku," which has been authenticated by the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords.
The workmanship reflects the transition from the late Muromachi into the early Edo period, showcasing a vivid hamon of irregular gunome. The steel surface displays a tight itame grain that is characteristic of the Fujishima school's output in the Kaga region, known for its resilience and functional beauty.
Koshirae Details
This sword is accompanied by a beautiful and period-appropriate koshirae. The saya is finished in a striking deep-red textured lacquer, providing a sophisticated contrast to the dark tsuka-ito. The tsuba is an iron work featuring intricate gold nunome-zogan (overlay) depicting chrysanthemums, a symbol of longevity and nobility. The overall mounting is well-preserved, reflecting the high status and care this blade has received over the centuries.
Swordsmith Background
Ienaga was a skilled smith within the Fujishima school, which originally migrated from Yamashiro to Kaga province. The Kashū smiths were highly regarded for their practical cutting ability and were the primary sword makers for the Maeda clan, one of the most powerful daimyo families in Japan. The work of Ienaga is celebrated for maintaining the traditional aesthetics of the Fujishima line while adapting to the sturdier shapes required during the turbulent transition into the Edo period.
School History
The Kashū (Kaga) school is one of the most significant regional traditions outside of the primary "Gokaden" (Five Traditions). It is characterized by a "whitish" steel (shirake-utsuri) and a blend of Sōshū and Mino styles. As a zaimei (signed) work, this blade serves as a definitive example of the Fujishima lineage's artistry in the Hokuriku region, combining a robust field-ready character with the elegance demanded by the samurai elite.
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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.