2259 - Antique Japanese Katana by Uda KUNIMUNE with Koshirae fittings. Original NBTHK certificate. Sword scabbard. “Daimyo”-type sword registration certificate, issued by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education—a copy, as the original must be returned to the local government. The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai), a prestigious Japanese nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of Japanese swords, has authenticated and certified this sword. The original NBTHK certificate is included. Registered as a “Daimyo,” this sword was registered in 1952, just one year after the current sword registration system was established in Japan in 1951. Swords registered during the first few years following the introduction of this system are sometimes referred to by sword collectors as “Daimyo” registrations—meaning “feudal lord.” According to the seller’s description, many valuable swords were then owned by former daimyo families or by other wealthy families with significant collections. These families were encouraged by Japanese authorities to register their swords in the early years of the new system in order to promote its adoption. For this reason, swords with these early Daimyo registrations may include particularly interesting pieces and are sought after by certain collectors. The blade is finely forged and features very beautiful patterns and grain. The Hamon temper lines are particularly dynamic and aesthetically pleasing. The tsuba (guard) is beautifully crafted and bears the signature “Seiun.” NBTHK certificate, Kichō classification—meaning “Precious Certificate”—dated June 7, 1957, bearing the number 25117. Mei signature on the Nakago (tang): Uda KUNIMUNE. Jidai period, Kotō era, prior to 1596. Blade shape (Sugata): Shinogi-zukuri. Blade spine (Mune): Iori-mune. Boshi (tempered tip): Ko-maru. Steel structure (Kitae/Hada): Mokume. Temper line (Hamon): Gunome-midare, with a particularly dynamic pattern. Nakago tip: Ha-agari Kuri-jiri. File marks Yasuri-me Katte-sagari. A mounting hole Mekugi-ana. Habaki made of copper, in one piece. Edge length 60 cm 23 5/8. Nakago length: 13.8 cm (5 5/16). Total blade length: 73.8 cm (29 1/16). Moto-haba (blade width at the base): 29 mm. Saki-haba (blade width near the tip): 17.5 mm. Moto-gasane (blade thickness at the base): 6 mm. Saki-gasane (blade thickness near the tip): 4 mm. Sori: curvature: 16 mm. Kissaki: length of the tip: 28 mm. Total length with mount: 87 cm (34 1/4). Tsuka: handle: 20.5 cm (8 1/16). Approximate weight of the bare blade: 549 g (1.21 lb) and with mountings: 1,034 g (2.28 lb). The blade is well polished and is in good overall condition. It has a few minor imperfections and scratches, as well as some spots of oxidation at the kissaki (tip), none of which are serious. The koshirae fittings are in good condition and show normal signs of wear for a piece of this age. Of the three Seppa spacers located around the Tsuba, one is made of rubber to ensure a better fit and hold for the Tsuba. Antique Japanese katana by Uda KUNIMUNE, with Koshirae fittings. Original NBTHK certificate. Sword bag. Daimyo-type sword registration certificate issued by the Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education. A copy is provided, as the original must be returned to the local authorities. The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai), a prestigious Japanese nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of Japanese swords, has authenticated and certified this sword. The original NBTHK certificate is included. Daimyo registration. This sword was registered in 1952, just one year after the introduction of the current Japanese sword registration system in 1951. Swords registered during the early years following the introduction of this system are sometimes referred to by collectors as swords with “Daimyo” (feudal lord) registration. According to the seller’s description, many valuable swords were then held by former daimyo families or other wealthy families with significant collections. These families were encouraged by the Japanese authorities to register their swords during the early years of the new system in order to promote its adoption. For this reason, swords with these early daimyo registrations may include particularly interesting examples and are sought after by certain collectors. The blade is finely forged and displays beautiful forging patterns and steel grain. The Hamon tempering patterns are particularly dynamic and aesthetically pleasing. The Tsuba guard is finely crafted and bears the signature “Seiun.” NBTHK certificate with a “Kichō” classification, meaning “Precious.” This