Nihonto Gendaitō Katana signed Chikushi Tadamasa – NBTHK Hozon Certified (Shōwa Era) Authentic hand-forged Japanese sword (nihontō) made in the traditional manner, signed 筑紫忠正作 (Chikushi Tadamasa saku) and certified NBTHK Hozon Tōken No. 361035 (issued February 2002 / Heisei 14). This is a genuine gendaitō forged from tamahagane the classical way — not a wartime arsenal blade (showatō), and not a replica. Blade Specifications Swordsmith: Chikushi Tadamasa Classification: Gendaitō (現代刀) – modern traditionally-made sword, Shōwa era Certificate: NBTHK Hozon Tōken No. 361035 (February 2002) Blade length (nagasa): 62.7 cm (2 shaku 0 sun 6 bu 5 rin) Curvature (sori): 1.3 cm – elegant, restrained torii-zori Mekugi-ana: 1 (ubu – original, unaltered nakago) Shape: shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune, chū-kissaki Jihada: tight, well-forged ko-itame Hamon: notare with gunome, bright nioiguchi, ko-nie and prominent ashi Boshi: tidy ko-maru turnback Description A healthy, full-bodied blade in shinogi-zukuri, with a dense, tightly forged ko-itame grain across the ji. The hamon runs as a flowing notare with gunome undulations, set in a bright nioiguchi with a covering of fine ko-nie. The activity within the hardened edge is the highlight: pronounced ashi reach down toward the cutting edge in clear diagonal lines, breaking the hamon into lively, rhythmic compartments — workmanship meant to be studied in hand under proper light. The nakago is ubu (original, unshortened), retaining its single mekugi-ana and the smith's clearly chiseled signature (sashimei). An untouched tang on a signed blade is the ideal state of preservation, confirmed by the NBTHK. The Koshirae (Mounting) A complete black koshirae built for quiet elegance. Saya: deep, glossy black urushi lacquer, smooth and unadorned, dressed with a black-and-white speckled sageo Tsuba: robust iron (tetsu) guard in mokkō-gata (four-lobed) form with honest forged-iron texture, decorated across both faces with scattered feathers in soft-metal zōgan (inlay), each detailed with fine kebori engraving. Two hitsu-ana for kozuka and kōgai. The feather motif evokes arrow fletching — a classic samurai emblem of resolve and forward purpose. Tsuka: black ito wrapped in traditional hineri-maki diamond pattern over white same (rayskin), with finely cast figural menuki in dark patinated metal About Gendaitō A gendaitō (現代刀, "modern sword") is a Japanese blade made from 1876 onward by traditional methods: tamahagane steel, folded and forged by hand, differentially hardened with a clay coating and water quench. It is a true nihontō in every technical sense — distinct from the mass-produced, oil-quenched showatō made as wartime sidearms, and worlds apart from cast or stainless replicas. NBTHK Hozon certification confirms that the blade was hand-made in the traditional manner and that the signature is authentic — the best assurance a collector can have.