N4956(W3255)
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Wakizashi signed Ōmi daijo Fujiwara TADAHIRO with)Black Ro-iro lacquered scabbard Waizashi Koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (Shōhou era/circa 1644-47) Hizen
Length of cutting edge 43.0cm Curvature 0.9cm　Width of base 30.3mm Width of Yokote 21.3mm Thickness of base 6.6mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

Blade construction: Medium-size wakizashi of Shinogi-zukuri,Iori-mune. Mihaba on base is wide and Kasane is on thicker side, massively heavy on hand. 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 then medium circle turns back .
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is UBU original, bottom heel shape is V-shape "Kengyo". One original peg hole of Mekugiana. 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 Wakizashi is in remarkably healthy condition, retaining a broad Mihaba and a generously full cross-section with ample Niku. The exquisitely forged Ko-itame-hada, interspersed with fine Mokume, forms a beautiful Jigane. Along the Ha, ko-nie accumulate thickly like freshly fallen snow, radiating brilliant flashes of light. Countless ashi extend into the Hamon, while the Ha is filled with a deep, abundant Nioi intermingled with Nie, evoking the soft, ethereal haze of spring mist. The Nakago bears a carefully executed, long inscription, with clearly defined Yasurime and an excellent taste of patina for the passage of 380 years.
This is a superior work in which the smith's consummate skill is fully realized.

Accompanied by a Wakizashi Koshirae with a Black roiro-lacquered scabbard featuring Waist Sen-dan Notches
(overall views: omote / ura; detailed photographs of the fittings)
  • Fuchi-kashira: Japanese spikenard and fern design; Shakudo Nanako ground, Sukisage-bori carving, gold iroe; unsigned.
  • Menuki: Narcissus design; Shakudo, katabori carving, gold iroe.
  • Tsuba: Two deer amid autumn grasses; Shakudo Nanako ground, Takabori carving, gold iroe; unsigned.
  • Kozuka: Noshi (ceremonial strips of dried abalone) design; Shakudo Nanako ground, Takabori carving, gold iroe; unsigned.
  • Tsuka: Wrapped in white Same-gawa and finished with a Moro-tumami Hishi-maki wrap in braided ito.
Single 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