S30050(W2775)
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Wakizashi signed Higo-no-kami Hata MITSUSHIRO

Shinto Early Edo period (Enpo era/circa 1673-) Owari
Length of cutting edge 54.6cm Curvature 1.4cm Width of base 33.2mm Width of Yokote 23.5mm Thickness of base 7.6mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

 

Blade construction: Powerful wakizashi of Shinogi-zukuri, steep Iori-mune, Mihaba is wide and Kasane is thick, shallow curve and scarce taper from base to the elongated Chu-Kissaki. In particular, the Shinogi-suji is rather on higher side that shaves off volume toward the Mune. Long and solidly heavy wakizashi, Nagasa of around 55cm was made for single-handed use and referred to as Katate-uchi 片手打ち which was designed for a swordsman of Owari Yagyu-Shinkage-ryu school. (click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is fine Ko-tame-hada with partial Itame indications. Steel gives off darkish blue impression to cover with sparkling hard metal martensite granules of moistened Ji-nie to generate Nie-utsuri on Hira-ji surface. Delicate lines of Nie so called Chikei activity wells out from an abyss of forging steel.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is medium Suguha of a bit on Nioi sided metal granules base, shallow Notare indication where works with sparkling Nie of martensite granules with indication of long lines of Nie Sunagashi, bright curved threadlike areas of Kinsuji, Hotsure and Niju-ha activities. In the interior of temper, there works with Noi mist-like crystalline area with floating dots of YOU and frequent ASHI radiates toward the cutting edge.
Temper of tip (Boshi): Boshi forms refined Suguha then medium circles turn back.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One peg hole. Katte-sagari (slightly slanting left) filemarks and back ridge of Nakago is flat with Katte-sagari filemark. The length of Nakago is designed trimmed a bit shorter side for single-handed use. The signature is located in front along Shinogi-suji, starts with an official district title Higo-no-kami 肥後守, pseudonym of Hata 秦 and smith name MITSUSHIRO 光代.

MITSUSHIRO 光代 with the pseudonym of Hata 秦, surname Ito 伊藤 is said to be originated Yamashiro. He stayed in Seki town, Mino then was adopted into E'chu-no-kami SADAYUKI 越中守貞幸 in Owari but somehow or other he broke off relations to be independent.
Fortune made him to work exclusively for a great swordsman Yagyu-renyasai TOSHIKANE 柳生連也斉厳包 and learned from Tsushima-no-kami TSUNEMITSU 対馬守常光 by his mediation. He enjoyed an official district title of Higo-no-kami 肥後守 granted by the Imperial Court during Kanbun era (1661-), lived in Nishi-kaji-cho (now Nishiki-2-chome, Naka-award, Nagoya) then moved to Minami Monzen-machi.
Well-known work by Hata MITSUSHIRO - a wakizashi named Oni-no Houcho 鬼之包丁was exclusively made for Yagyu-renyasai TOSHIKANE and is his most distinguished work with great pains and also the most famed Daisho-set of Kago-tsurube 籠釣瓶 and Sasa-no-tsuyu 笹の露 had been owed by Yagyu-renyasai TOSHIKANE in his lifetime.
In Tokugawa Art Museum collections, an odd shape wakizashi work of Ito Higonokami Hata Mitsushiro for Yagyu Toshinobu 柳生利延, tested to vivisect two bodies 伊藤肥後守秦光代　重胴二以其歯タウリ　柳生氏利延所持之 and wakizashi of "Gou YOSHIHIRO" reproduction 郷義弘 the work of Tsushima-no-kami TSUNEMITSU 対馬守常光, both have been treasured of Owari Tokugawa feudal clan and also Owari Yagyu swordmans school.

Most of his wakizashi is heroically made to order of Owari yagyu swordsmanship and mostly shows Yamashiro tradition of fine Itame hada and it's hamon is medium Suguha with delicate activity along boundary line.
Copper ground Mt.Fuji shape Habaki collar, preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting.
reference data :
Iwata Atou, Owari Tokofu, Nagoya board of education
Treasures from the Tokugawa Art Museum No.3 Swords and Sword fittings, 2000