A24681(W2892)
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Wakizashi signed Yamashiro-ju Fujiwara YOSHITAKA with)Black lacaured Natane rapeseed pattern scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (Kanbun era /circa 1662 - ) Yamashiro/Echizen
Length of cutting edge46.8cm Curvature1.4cm Width of base32.6mm Thickness of base7.3mm Width of Yokote23.1mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

with)Black lacaured Natane rapeseed pattern scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae


Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, Kasane is thick, Mihaba width is wide and deep in both cutting and back ridge. There is a bit on deeper side curvature leading to a Chu-kissaki medium tip. The entire blade is heavy on hand with full of brave spirits. (click HERE for super sized image of entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is conspicuous Mokume burl grain mixing in with Itame pattern. There shows streaming Masame ware along tempering boundary line also Conspicuous Masame ware apperas on Shinogi-ji surface. The highlight is lively Chikei-scene where sparkling Ji-nie metal glitter covers on hiraji-surface that generates energetic Nie-lines.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon starts with short Suguha straight Yakidashi, Ko-nie based of which temper line activates with smallGunome in ranges,some box-like shape apperas. Frequent Ashi feet and floating YOU activity and Sunagashi short lines of Nie appears in the interior of temper.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi is medium circle turns back to the Mune ridge.
Tang(Nakago): UBU in original, One peg hole. slanting left Kanne-sagari filemarks. Uneven V-shape bottom heel. Flat back ridge where greatly slanting left filemarks appears. The signature on omote starts with an place of work Yamashiro-ju 山城住, the name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and the smith name YOSHITAKA 義高.

The "YOSHITAKA" 義高 from the Kanbun period, was a student of Mishina Kinmichi 三品金道 in Yamashiro Province and also made swords in Echizen Province. Some of his works bear the inscription "Echizen-jū YOSHITAKA" 越前住義高 on the tang. YOSHITAKA 義高 collaborated with MASATOMO 正全, another student of Mishina KINMICHI from Owari Province, indicating interaction with swordsmiths from Owari.

During the Kanbun to Enpō eras, there was a high demand for swords, especially in Owari Province, where martial arts flourished. The Yagyū Shinkage-ryū school, passed down as a secret tradition in the Owari domain, was taught by Yagyū Hyōgonosuke Toshitoshi (1579–1650), who was invited by Tokugawa Yoshinao, the first head of the Owari Tokugawa family, to serve as a swordsmanship instructor. Owari swords were known for their robust construction and gained a reputation for their solid craftsmanship and excellence as weapons.

This piece was likely made to meet the demands of the "Owari domain's tradition" 御流儀. The massive blade of which width is broad, with a high ridge line, giving it a strong and dignified appearance suitable for an Owari Samurai. The prominent activity in the steel grain, in harmony with the small crystalline structures, serves as evidence of the repeated folding and forging mixture of hard and soft steel. The file marks on the tang and the chisel strokes on the inscription are clear, indicating its well-preserved condition.

with) Black lacquered rapeseed Natane pattern scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae (click HERE in front and HERE for the other side /HERE for each fitting)

  • Fuchi-Kashira: Waves and Shells, Tsuriibe (Well Bucket) and Farming Tools Design, Shakudō ground, High Relief, Iroe colored, Unsigned
  • Menuki: Dragon Chasing a Jewel Design, Relief Carving, Gold Inlay
  • Tsuba: Waterfall Design with Four-Sided Inome (Heart-Shaped) Openwork, Iron ground, Engraved, Gold Inlay, Signed by Shoami Kanenori　正阿弥包矩
  • Kozuka: Dragon and Tiger Design, Shakudō copper alloy with Nanakoji-surface, High Relief Takabori, Iroe colored, Signed as "Shō-zui" 政随
  • Tsuka: White Samegawa (Ray Skin) Wrap, Gold-Brown Silk Cord, Moro-tsumami Hishi-Maki (lozenge Pattern) Wrap
reference data:
[Owari Tōkōfu] Iwata Atou 1985 Publisher : Nagoya city Board of Education
[Token Bijutsu vol.357] Kato Hiroshi 1986 Japan Sword Preservation Society