C044034(T3657)
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Tanto signed Houki-no-kuni-ju Mita Goro Saemon-no-jo HIROYOSHI-saku In the 2nd month, Eiroku 12th with)Black Stone-surface Ishimeji scabbard Aikuchi style Koshirae

Koto end Muromachi period (Eiroku 12th/1569) Houki
Length of cutting edge 25.1cm Curvature 0.1cm Width of base 24.2mm Thickness of base 6.0mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

with)Black Stone-surface Ishimeji scabbard Aikuchi style Koshirae

Sugata(configuration) : Hira-zukuri, Ior-mune construction, The cutting edge measures a bit on longer side 8-sun 2-bu (25.1cm). Average in Mihaba, almost no-curve, a bit on thicker side in Kasane and upper Fukura is swelling where this geometry appears on the latter half of Muromachi period to perform the most supreme cutting as well as stabbing purpose as a supplementary usage for a long Katana.(click HERE for higher resolution image)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae forging pattern is outstanding Itame wooden hada generally with the indication of streaming Masame ware that appears mostly along the back ridge of Mune. Sparkling Ji-Nie or Yubashiri attaches over Hiraji and thick lines of Chikei-activity is perceived over the surface.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon quenching state is rather on stronger side "Nie-deki". Large Gunome、Togari-ha, clove outline of Choji-ha - dynamic and flamboyant with isolated Tobiyaki, Yubashiri, Muneyaki so called "Hitatsura" quenching state.
Boshi (tip): Wide in temper at boshi tip which is created like a blaze so called "Kaen-boshi" then turns back deeply to connect Muneyaki which is tempered throughout the back ridge.
Nakago(tang) : The Nakago is an original UBU of which shape is a bit curved "Funazoko" ship-bottom shape and double bevelled U-shape heel. File marks "Yasurime" is slightly slanting left "Katte-sagari" and the back ridge of Nakago is a bit on contoured. Two Mekugi-ana retaining holes.
The entire Nakago preserves an excellent taste of patina from mid 16th C. The long inscription signature in front starts with the place of domain "Houki-no-kuni-ju" 伯耆国住, family name "Mita" 見田, additional given name "Goro-saemon-no-jo" 五郎左衛門尉 and smith name "HIROYOSHI-saku (or HIROGA-saku") 広賀作.The other side is chisseled with the date of year In the 2nd month, Eiroku 12th 永禄拾二年二月日.

広賀 HIROYOSHI or HIROGA in different reading is said to be a disciple of Soshu Tsunahiro 相州綱広. The first generation dates back to the Eisho and Tenbun eras (1504-54), the second generation was Goro-saemon-no-jo 五郎左右衛門尉 during the Tenbun and Eiroku eras (1532-69), the third generation was Kurobeinojo 九郎兵衛尉 during the Tensho era (1573-), and the fourth generation was Sainoo-tojuro 道祖尾藤十郎 around the Tensho era, continuing into the Edo period.

In the mid-Muromachi period, HIROYOSHI 広賀 moved from Sagami to Houki province and served for the provincial military governor the Yamana clan 山名. In May of Daiei 4 (1524), when the forces of Amago Tsunehisa 尼子経久 of neighboring Izumo province took control of Houki and the Yamana clan 山名 retreated abroad, Mitabei 見田兵衛, who was a retainer of 小鴨左衛門尉元清 Komoro Saemonnojo Motokiyo - 小鴨岩倉城 Kogamo Iwakura Castle's lord, had resigned Samurai class and became a swordsmith to join the HIROYOSHI 広賀 school.

Goro-saemon-no-jo HIROYOSHI 五郎左右衛門尉広賀 established a master-disciple relationship with Soshu Tsunahiro 相州綱広 when he travelled to Kanayago Myojin Shrine 金屋児明神, then traveled to Kamakura to hone his Soshu-skills, meeting the demands of Sengoku battle warriors and producing excellent works.

Appendix with Black Ishime-ji stone surface scabbard Tanto Aikuchi Koshirae (Enlarged photos of Koshirae FRONT and BACK, and detailed photos of fittings)
  • Kozuka: Bamboo leaves and tiger design, Shakudo ground Nanako-ji surface, high relief carving,Gold Iroe inlay signed: Shigeyoshi (kao) 重義（花押）
  • Menuki: Peony and Shishi design, silver groung, carved in relief
  • Tsuka: White ray skin
Silver double layer Habaki collar, preserved in plain wood mounting

(note) The HIROYOSHI 広賀 family split into the Saino 道祖尾家 and Mita 見田家 families. The Saino family began around the Bunmei era (1469-) and continued into the Edo period, setting up a aterier studio in Kurayoshi Kaji-machi 倉吉、鍛冶町. The Mita family started with Gorosaemon 五郎左衛門尉 around the Tenbun era (1532-), residing in Tsuhara 津原 and later traveling back and forth to Kurayoshi 倉吉 until the Jou? era (up to 1654).
(note) Eiroku (1558–1570) was an era changed upon the enthronement of Emperor Ōgimachi. On May 19, Eiroku 3 (1560), Oda Nobunaga defeated Imagawa Yoshimoto in the Battle of Okehazama, and on September 26, Eiroku 13 (1570), he brought Ashikaga Yoshiaki to the capital Kyoto.

reference source: Junji Honma and Kanichi Sato, "Nihonto Taikan," Koto Edition 3, Otsuka Kogeisha, 1969