T231628(W3196)
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Wakizashi signed Ōmi daijo Fujiwara TADAHIRO

Shinto Early Edo period (Shoho era circa 1644-47) Hizen
Length of cutting edge 56.2cm Curvature 1.0cm Width of base 31.0mm Thickness of base 6.8mm Width of Yokote 23.5mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

Fujishiro certificate





Blade construction: Large-size Ō-wakizashi of Shinogi-zukuri,Iori-mune. Mihaba on base is wide and Kasane is a bit on thicker side, massively heavy on hand (613grams incl.Habaki). There is less degree of tapering from base to point of Yokote with well proportioned curvature leading to an elonged Chu-Kissaki.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging Hada is supreme fine and uniform Ko-mokume in general. 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 creates an atmosphere of lively sparkling impression so called Konuka-hada 小糠肌.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is fine Nie hard metal granules base, wide Suguha with an indication of shallow undulating Notare line where deep sparkling hard metal granules "Nie" accumulates on the quenching line that grows like an overflowing belt. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area deeply. Upper the blade deeper and brighter the Nie where generates frequent Ashi activity along boundary line. The entire temper gives off the most brilliant flash among the other works.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of Boshi forms straight with an indication of Hakikake brushing then medium circle turns back deeply.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is UBU original, bottom heel shape is V-shape "Kengyo". Two original peg holes of Mekugiana (one is filled with gold). Slightly slanting right filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat where slightly slanting right filemarks is percieved. The signature in front is eight character that starts from an official district Ōmi-daijo 近江大掾 title, name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and the smith name TADAHIRO 忠広.

Here is a brilliant healthy wakizashi made by the 2nd generation TADAHIRO 忠広 who is well-known as the Jo-josaku (Above Superior Made) artistic rank and also wins the glory of Ō-waza-mono (Above Supreme Sharp)
The 2nd generation TADAHIRO 忠広 was born in Keicho 19 (1614) as the first son by a mistress of 1st generation Hizen-koku TADAYOSHI 肥前国忠吉. His initial name was Hashimoto Heisakuro 橋本平作郎, later had succeeded to his father's name of Shinzaemon 新左衛門. He excelled in as a superior sword maker since teen age to play a ghost-maker on behalf of his father in later ages. He had succeeded major TADAHIRO 2nd generation in Kanei 9, (1632) when he was as young as 19 years old. He intended not to succeed his father's smith name TADAYOSHI 忠吉 for the sake of preserving appearances that he was not a legitimate child of TADAYOSHI. Passed away in Genroku 6, (1693), was 80 years old.
His legitimate child 3rd generation succeeded to the initial name of TADAYOSHI 忠吉 when he enjoyed the Mutsu daijo 陸奥大掾 title in Manji 3 (1660), was 24 years old.
The subject artisan TADAHIRO 2nd generation established and developed the superior high standard quality 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.

This long wakizashi has an extended blade length of 1 shaku 8 sun 5 bu 5 rin (56.2 cm). Including the habaki, it weighs 613 grams, giving a solid and substantial feel in the hand. The wide mihaba and richly full volume of Hira-niku form a robust physique that has been preserved in remarkably healthy condition.
The subject wakizashi remains solidly massive blade with an elongated medium Kissaki. Most superior forging method using top quality fine steel so called "Tamahagane" generates precisely fine Ko-mokume with most supreme sparkling Ji-nie glitter that generates superior Chikei darkish Nie lines activity. The forging scene as the saying looks like a cutting section of Japanese pear "Nashiji-hada". Hamon displays a dense accumulation of ko-nie along the ha-buchi, settling like freshly fallen snow and emitting a bright, scintillating brilliance. Countless ko-ashi appear throughout the hamon, Upper the blade, deeper and thicker the Nie-Nioi is.
The Nakago bears a carefully executed long signature, the Yasurime remain crisp and distinct and the patina is excellent.

Double layer gold foiled Habaki collar, Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
Recent excellent 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