Y28308(S2469)
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katana signed Hizen-koku-ju Ōmi daijo Fujiwara TADAHIRO

Shinto Early Edo period (Kanbun era circa 1661-1672) Hizen
Length of cutting edge 73.3cm Curvature 1.8cm Width of base 32.2mm Thickness of base 6.9mm Width of Yokote 23.8mm

(Sayagaki written by Dr.Sato Kanzan in 1977)

 

Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, long blade. Mihaba is on base is wide and thickness Kasane is in average. There is suitable difference in width between base and the tip of Yokote holding a bit deep waist pointed curvature, leading to the extended middle Kissaki. The entire shape creates a gracefully heroic impression with majestic manner.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is fine Ko-Itame. Fine steel gives off minute sprinkled sand impression to cover with thick Nie sparkling hard metal granules "Ji-nie" on Hira-ji surface and darkish precise lines of Nie so called "CHIKEI" activity that wells out from steel. The surface creates an atmosphere of lively sparkling impression so called Kunuka-hada 小糠肌.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is fine Nie hard metal granules base, Chu-Suguha straight temper line where deep sparkling hard metal granules "Nie" accumulates on the temper that grows in a belt. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area deeply with frequent short ASHI and floating YOU activities. The entire temper gives off bright and vivid impression.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms straight with a "Hakikake" short line of Nie brush up indication and medium circle turns back in a good manner.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One peg hole. slightly slanting right filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is a bit rounded contours and Single bevelled (Katayama) heel shape. The signature in front is twelve character that starts from the place of work Hizen-koku Ju 肥前国住 and an official district Ōmi-daijo 近江大掾 title, name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and the smith name TADAHIRO 忠廣.
The 2nd generation TADAHIRO 忠廣 was born in Keicho 19 (1614) as the first son by a mistress of 1st generation Hizen-koku TADAYOSHI 肥前国忠吉. His initial name was　Hashimoto Heisakuro 橋本平作郎, later had succeeded to his father's name of Shinzaemon 新左衛門. He excelled in as a superior sword maker since teen age to play a ghost-maker on behalf of his father in later ages. He had succeeded major TADAHIRO 2nd generation in Kanei 9, (1632) when he was as young as 19 years old. He intended not to succeed his father's smith name TADAYOSHI for the sake of preserving appearances that he is not a legitimate child of TADAYOSHI. Passed away in Genroku 6, (1693), was 80 years old.His legitimate child 3rd generation succeeded to the initial name of TADAYOSHI 忠吉 when he enjoyed the Mutsu daijo 陸奥大掾 title in Manji 3 (1660), was 24 years old.
The subject heroic katana is full of vigor, shows notable feature of the graceful Hizen sword "Tachi style" - solid in hands, waist point curvature in deep side, long blade with an extended kissaki. Steel forging mark shows precisely fine Ko-Itame with most supreme sparkling Ji-nie glitter that generates superior Chikei darkish Nie lines activity. Also this katana shows major character of the signature and style of filemarks (slightly slanting right) that would be made by 3rd generation TADAYOSHI to understand that this would be ghost-made by his son when 2nd generation TADAHIRO is in his later age.
The subject katana proves that TADAHIRO 2nd generation had established and developed the standard quality of sword making for the major Hizen TADAYOSHI school and had laid the foundations for the later generations until 9th by the end of Edo period.
Gold foiled single layer Habaki collar, Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting (Sayagaki written by Dr.Sato Kanzan in 1977).
Recent polish/Condition scale: mint-excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference data:
Honma Junji/Satou Kanichi, NNIHONTO TAIKAN SHINTO-HEN 2 Otsuka Kogei sha April 15, 1969
Kataoka Ginsaku, Hizento Shiko, 1974