13th C Japanese Warrior Monk Shikkake Katana Exceptionally rare blade. This 800 year old sword is in excellent condition. A piece of history from the one of the most prestigious sword schools of the golden age of samurais, the Kamakura period (1185-1133) It has the certification paper of NBTHK of very high level, for a rare and precious authentication. This certificate, Tokubetsu Hozon, can be translated to mean superior of the especially precious. This type of NBTHK certificate is the highest rank below Juyo. Also included is a scroll presenting a detailed drawing of the sword, called oshigata. This is a complicated and delicate work that is reserved for sword of importance. Only few Japanese experts master this art. Signature : Mumei (unsigned) attributed as Sikkake (We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku) This mumei(unsigned) attributed as Sikkake belongs to Jyoujyo saku ranking. Sayagaki : Yamato Kuni Kaneuji length 2syaku 2sun 5bu suriage mumei daikinsu 300 mai The blade was polished by high ranking polisher. Blade length : 68.1 cm or 26.81 inches. Sori : 1.1 cm or 0.43 inches. Mekugi : 1 is open 2 is filled. Width at the hamachi : 2.91 cm or 1.14 inches. Width at the Kissaki : 2.14 cm or 0.84 inches. Kasane : 0.62 cm or 0.24 inches. Era: Late Kamakura period. Shape : The blade is oosuriage mumei(cut shortened) and regular size with longer kissaki. Jitetsu : Itame had and mokume had mixed with masanagare jinie attach and chikei work. Hamon : Niedeki suguha and notare with deep nioikuchi am in Hamon, there are many sunagashi, kinsuji work. The hamon is also double hamon and uchinoke work. Boshi is hakikake style(brush up) Special feature : The founder of the shikkake school is Shikkake Norinaga who was a swordmsith of Shikkake School of Yamato province prospered present Tenri City in Nara pref. The name Shikkake was from Shikkake-ishi, the stone pedestal settling down the portable shrine to take a rest on the way of religious services. The jitetsu of this sword is extremely fine and elegant deep nioikuchi rather close to Taima School than Shikkake. There is also a gold inlay on the severse side of the tang.Narushige was one of a quite reliable connoisseur in the modern period. This sword is excellent jigane and hamon like the standard of Jyuyo token. The sword is accompanied with NBTHK Tokubetsu hozon paper. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper Two storage bags are included, to protect this sword.

Although care is taken to photograph and describe the item, absence of a condition report does not imply perfect condition. It is the responsibility of the buyer to verify the condition of the item, either in person during our viewing hours prior to auction or through requested condition reports. All bids are final and are subject to our terms and conditions.