M3640(S7580)
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Katana signed Hizen-koku Junin TADAYOSHI-saku

Shinto early Edo period (circa Gen'na 5th/1619-) Hizen
Length of cutting edge 74.4cm Curvature 1.4cm Width of base 31.6mm Width of Yokote 22.7mm Thickness of base 7.3mm

reference only

Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Wide in Mihaba, thick in Kasane. Long and heavy heavy built katana holding massive volume of Hiraji. There is less degree of tapering from base to the large tip of Boshi holding a bit on deeper side center pointed curvature. The entire shape creates a brave impression with majestic manner so called "Keicho-Shinto style". (click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging mark from base to the tip is supreme fine and uniform Ko-Itame. The most superior made 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 skin creates an atmosphere of lively sparkling impression so called Konuka-hada 小糠肌.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is fine Nie hard metal granules base, Chu-suguha of which thick boundary belt consists of frequent short Ashi and Hoture fraying appears on upper Monouchi area. The interior is filled with mist-like crystallize area deeply with floating YOU activities. The entire temper gives off bright and vivid impression.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms straight in good manner and medium circle turns back.
Tang(Nakago): UBU original. The heel of Nakago forms unven U-shaped Ha-agari Kurijiri. One Mekugi-ana hole. Kiri Horizontal filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat. The inscription made out Tachi-mei style on the reversed side is eight long character that starts from the place of work Hizen-koku Junin 肥前国住人 then the smith name TADAYOSHI 忠吉作.

This is the supreme work of katana made by the 1st generation TADAHOSHI 忠吉 and recognized production year is judged on about Gen'na 5th (ca.1619-) from it's inscription manner. This katana preserves typical shape that came into widespread during Keicho (1596-16) period. From it's workmanship, guess that TADAYOSHI was very much influenced by the Rai KUNIMITSU works during Nanbokucho period.
The first generation TADAHOSHI was born in Genki 3 (1572) as a son of sword maker Hashimoto MICHIHIRO 橋本道弘 in Nagase town, Saga district. He became separated from his father MICHIHIRO 道弘 who died of a disease and grandfather MORIHIRO 盛弘 who met death in the battle of Shimabara at the same time in the 3rd month Tensho 12 (1584) when he was as young as 13 years old. He was compelled to serve his apprenticeship to the other local sword makers in his young ages. However he excelled in as a superior sword maker since teen age and finally was picked out by feudal lord Nabeshima Katsushige 鍋島勝茂.
Keicho 1 (1596), when he was 25 years old, he went up to Kyoto to join the famed school of Umetada Myouju 埋忠明寿 and learn the most updated culture and technique for three years.
From on about Keicho 18 (1613) down to Kanei 1 (1624) he intentionally used the other inscription of "Hizen-koku-junin TADAYOSHI-saku" 肥前国住人忠吉作 mainly for those unconventional artworks which are out from the standard works of TADAYOSHI's studio as if he challenged to make an innovative artworks to try using different sence of technique from antcient times and regions.
Passed away in the 15th day, the 8th month of Kanei 9 (1632), was 61 years old.
The founder TADAYOSHI established the Shinto summit artwork 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.
The Most Superior Made appraisal "Saijo-saku" and rated as the Most Supreme Sharp "Ōwaza-mono" performance.
Gold foiled double layer Habaki collar, Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
Recent polish/Condition scale: mint - excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference data:
Honma Junji/Satou Kanichi, NIHONTO TAIKAN SHINTO-HEN 2 Otsuka Kogei sha April 15, 1969
Kataoka Ginsaku, Hizento Shiko, 1974