Blade construction : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, Wide in Mihaba, thick in Kasane holding less degree of tapering from base to extended medium Kissaki. Heroically heavy on hands (599grams without habaki)。（click HERE for higher resolution of the blade)
Forging (hada) : Conspicuous Mokume-hada whereas the Shinogi-ji shows Masame-hada. Hiraji-surface is convered with sparkling Ji-nie glitter where works with darkish grain mark of Chikei-activity.
Boshi : Temper of tip forms a Gunome below Yokote line, then becomes straight line along Boshi and medium circle turns bacl.
Nakago : UBU original, One peg hole. Takanoha V-shape Yasurime file marks and back ridge is contoured in full where greatly slanting left Ō-sujikai file mark apperas. The heel of Nakago forms uneven U-shaped Ha-agari Kurijiri. On the obverse side near the ridge (mune), there is a long signature inscribed "Ōmi-no-kami Fujiwara SADAHIRO" 近江守藤原定広 and on the flat section (hiraji), there is an engraved inscription: "Made with carefully selected steel" ("Tetsu'so wo-motte kore-wo- tsukuru") 以鉄錝造之.
On the reverse inner side, along the ridge line (shinogi-suji), the date of manufacture is inscribed: "In the 2nd month, kanbun 9th (1669) 寛文九年二月日" "SADAHIRO" 定広 was originally from Mino Province. The first generation, active around the Kan'ei era (1624–), did not hold an official district title and inscribed his works with signatures such as "Bishu Junin Sadahiro" 尾州住人定広 ("Resident of Owari, Sadahiro").
The subject second-generation SADAHIRO, named Tanabe Den'emon 田辺伝右衛門 had moved from Mino to Hisaya in Nagoya alongside his father when Nagoya Castle was established. In Kanbun 5 (1665), he was granted the title of Ōmi no Kami, and began to sign his works as "Ōmi no Kami Fujiwara Sadahiro" 近江守藤原定広.
During the Kan'ei to Enpō eras, demand for swords was high. In particular, the martial Owari Province sought swords of robust construction. As a result, Sadahiro’s works from this period featured wide blades, with well-defined monouchi and a dignified, powerful chūkissaki (medium point), embodying a stately form befitting the formidable weapons favored by Owari warriors.
The file marks on the tang and the chisel strokes of the signature remain vividly preserved, with both the Jigane and Hamon showing exceptional clarity.
fitted with a double-layers gold-plated Habaki, preserved in a plain wooden Shirasaya
reference:
Owari Tōkō Fu (Genealogy of Owari Swordsmiths), Nagoya City Board of Education, March 31, 1984 (Showa 59)
