This overview shows the ranking and certificates which are currently applied/provided by the Japanese Nihonto Organization NBTHK.
Swordsmith ratings / Class of Importance
Chu Saku 中作 – “Average Class”
Chu JŌ Saku 中上作 – “Above Average Class”
JŌ Saku 上作 – “Superior Class”
JŌ JŌ Saku 上々作 – “Above Superior Class”
Sai JŌ Saku 最上作 – “Most Superior Class”
Sword classification / Sharpness of a Nihonto
Wazamono 業物 – “sharp”
Ō wazamono 大業物 – “very sharp”
Ryō wazamono 料業物 – “superior sharp”
Saijō ō wazamono 最大業物 – “most superior sharp”
Japanese Ministry of Education Origami / structure of documentation and certification
HOZON TŌKEN 保存刀剣 – “Worthy of Preservation”
TOKUBETSU HOZON TŌKEN 特別保存刀剣 – “Extraordinarily Worthy of Preservation”
JŪYŌ TŌKEN 重要刀剣 – “Very Important Work”
TOKUBETSU JŪYŌ TŌKEN 特別重要刀剣 – “Extraordinarily Important Work”
JŪYŌ BUNKAZAI 重要文化財 – “Important Cultural Asset”
KOKUHO 国宝 – “National Treasure”
These certificates, applied/provided in the past by NBTHK are no longer applicable, but still represent a certain value / ranking level.
NBTHK 日本美術刀剣保存協会 Shinsa Standards
KICHŌ 貴重 (white papers) – “Important Work”
TOKUBETSU KICHŌ 特別貴重 (green papers) – “Extraordinary Work”
KOSHU TOKUBETSU KICHŌ 甲種特別貴重 (blue papers) – “Special Extraordinary Work”
JŪYŌ BIJUTSUSHIN 重要美術品証書 – “Important Art Object”