T254478(W5011)
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Ko-wakizashi signed Sekishu Izuwa-ju SADAYUKI with) Black Ro-iro lacquered In'rou-Kizami notches scabbard Aikuchi style Koshirae

Koto end Nanbokucho to early Muromachi period (Ouei era/circa 1394-) Iwami
Length of cutting edge 31.6cm Curvature 0.3cm　Width of base 28.6mm Thickness of base 5.0mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate


with) Black Ro-iro lacquered In'rou-Kizami notches scabbard Aikuchi style Koshirae

Sugata(configuration) : Katakiri-ha wakizashi, Iori-mune. The front is Kiri-ha whereas the other side is Hira-tsukuri configulation. Kasane is a bit on thinner side and shallow in Sori, less swelling at upper Monouchi area. The entire wakizashi holds harmonious ratio of Mihaba to Nagasa of which this blade geometry appears with the End Nanbokucho early Muromachi period.(click HERE for higher resolution image)
Horimono (carving) : parallel Futasuji-hi in font and Koshi-hi groove in the other side that is chiselled half way to Nakago.
Kitae(forging pattern) : The entire steel gives off bluish tendency. Kitae is conspicuous Itame hada generally with the indication of Mokume burl.Sparkling frosty Ji-nie is distributed over the Hira-ji surface and gleaming Jet black luster of Chikei that comes from unique trait of fine steel with different carbon content appears.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon state is a bit on stronger side "Nie-deki". Large Gunome on base, wide Suguha with undulating Notare indication with some indication of Niju-ha or Hotsure-ha. Sparkling martensite particles of Nie accumulates thickly along quenching area where grows sparkling flash and the interior of temper is filled with frosty Nioi mist.
Boshi (tip): Wide in temper at boshi tip medium circle turns back in good manner.
Nakago(tang) : The Nakago is original UBU of which shape is a bit curved Funazoko ship-bottom shape and Kengyo V-shape heel end. Four Mekugi-ana retaining holes, one is filled with lead. "O-sujikai"greatly slanting left filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat with "O-sujikai" filemarks. The entire Nakago preserves an excellent taste of patina from 14th C. The classical inscription signature in front starts with the place of work Sekishu Izuwa-ju 石州出羽住 then the name of smith SADAYUKI 貞行.

The subject "Sekishu Izuwa-ju SADAYUKI" 石州出羽住貞行 was a swordsmith in Iwami Province (now the western part of Shimane Prefecture). He was active in end 14th century and said a disciple of "Sekishu NAOTSUNA"　石州直綱 who was known as the Masamune school 正宗門.
"Sekishu NAOTSUNA"　石州直綱 is said a son of "MORITSUNA" 盛綱 who reporteadly learned from "SADAYOSHI" 貞吉 in Sue-SA 末左 school.

"NAOTSUNA" 直綱 and the subject first-generation "SADAYUYKI" 貞行 both lived in Sekishu Izuwa where corresponds to present-day Izuwa, Onancho, Shimane Prefecture 島根県邑南町出羽.
"SADAYUKI" 貞行 a second generation worked around Koushu era (1455~) who inscribed his works as "Sekishu Nagahama-ju SADAYUKI" 石州長浜住貞行 indicating that his studio was located at Nagahama in the south of Hamada Bay, the central part of Iwami Province.

The style of this extended Ko-wakizashi is a well-balanced Kiri-ha-zukuri which was prevalent during the Nanboku-cho period. It features a slightly dark steel ground with a Mokume (burl) pattern, showing the influence of the Soshu tradition. The Nakago (tang) bears a Mei inscription and retains a jet-black stain color that has developed over six centuries. The second and third mekugi-ana (peg holes) are gourd-shaped, while the fourth Mekugi-ana at the Nakago-jiri (tang heel) is chiselled from both sides using a graver,not a spinner in later ages, to display an elegance of ancient antiquity style. The mekugi-ana shapes is "round" (〇) on one side whereas "square" (□) on the other side that are reflecting the charm of the Nanboku-cho period. The clear Mei of "Sekishu Izuwa-ju SADAYUKI" 石州出羽住貞行 with a raised graving traces is well preserved and rarely seen to hold highly valuable for historical reference.
This is an exceptional work that clearly demonstrates the highest level of craftsmanship by the same artisan, characterized by a wide Mihaba and a robust overall shape.

This Wakizashi comes with a superb decorative mount of Koshirae in excellent condition
with) Black Ro-iro lacquered Inro-kizami nothces Aikuchi-style Koshirae
(click HERE for the entire Koshirae in front and HERE for the other side / HERE for each metal fitting)
  • All metal fittings : Clouds design (Fuchi/Kashira, Koikuchi, Ura-kawara, Kojiri) silver polish surface, Kebori carving, Shakudo Iroe, unsigned
  • Kozuka : An old pine tree design, Silver ground, Polish surface, Katagiri/Kebori carving, Ura back plate "Samidare" carving, signed TOMONORI-saku 友則作
  • Tsuka : Black lacquered wrinkles leather Hiramaki wrap with Silver decorative Mekugi
Old gold foiled single layer Habaki collar (some foil get torn), preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting
Good old polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data :
Honma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975