Length of cutting edge 27.9cm No Curvature Width of base 27.4mm Thickness of base 6.7mm
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is fine Ko-Mokume ware where crystallized Ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface) sparkles clearly against thick lines of Chikei (darkish Nie lines) activity. There gives off diffused reflection of Utsuri that appears on Hiraji surface.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon starts above Hamachi "Yakiotoshi", Suguha with gentle wave. It starts with fine but tight Ko-Nie based on the base and then thicker with the Nie granules then upper Fukura area is stronger with fray of "Hotsure" or double-boundary line of "Niju-ha" activities.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Temper of Boshi forms straight up with brush up indication from short lines of Nie then medium circles turn back.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is UBU in original shape with shallow slanting left (katte-sagari) file marks. Kurijiri round heel shape. Two Mekugi-ana peg holes. Bottom of tang has been rusted away from ages. The signature in front is four large character Fujiwara YUKINAGA 藤原行長.
Ancient times in Bungo province (now in Ōita pref.) of 12th century, the famed sword smiths monk SADAHIDE 定秀 or YUKIHIRA 行平 had come out, then for a long ages in 14th century of Nanbokucho period, smith TOMOYUKI 友行 appeared in Takada town.
TOMOYUKI 友行 is the famed sword maker for the founder of Bungo Takada school in medieval period. According to a classic, TOMOYUKI 友行 had learned Soshu-Bizen school technique in Osafune, Bizen province and also took lessons from SADAMUNE 貞宗 in Kamakura, Soshu province.
Extra long Tachi unsigned Bungo TOMOYUKI 豊後友行 which has belonged since Bunmei 2 (1470) to Ōyamazumi Shrine 大山祇神社 is a monumental work of TOMOYUKI and is designated as a national treasure.
On after Muromachi period, Bungo Takada school has been called "Taira Takada" ever since the smith NAGAMORI 長盛 of Takada lineage named himself the Taira clan.
On after Azuchi Momoyama period fo Shinto age, the smith TOMOYUKI 統行 had recovered the name of Fujiwara clan so that Takada works of Shinto period is commonly named alias "Fujiwara Takada".
The workmanship of "Taira Takada" or "Fujiwara Takada" school is widely ranged with a composite of the major schools of Bizen, Soshu, Yamashiro and Yamato and the major three smiths of MUNEYUKI 統行, SHIGEYUKI 重行 and YUKINAGA 行長 of "Fujiwara Tadada" school deserve the great praise of Supreme sharp "Yoki-wazamono" cutting performance.
According to the directory of NINONTO MEIKAN, the subject maker YUKINAGA 行長 was active in Kanei - Shoho (1624-47), lived in Tsurusaki, Takada-Tsueyuki 鶴崎高田常行住, died in the 18th day, the 10th month, Kanbun 9 (1669).
The subject majestic Tanto is strongly-built, long and thick in Kasane. Forging is well-kneaded fine Mokume-hada ware where sparkling crystallized Ji-nie glitter attaches like a Hizen sword at a glance, but thick lines of Nie called "Chikei" wells out over surface, further diffused reflection of whitish "Utsuri" is perceived. Shallow swelling Suguha temper starts above Hamachi which is tight with Ko-nie glitter and quench boundary shows Ni-juha (double lines) or Hotsu-re (fray) activity with classical grace from the ancient Yamato works from Kamakura period.
This tanto still remains an old method of Sashikomi style polish condition. Crystallized Suguha Hamon can be perceived even in current polish status. There are neither significant rust, nor blemish like grains openings on surface but only whitish stains and slight scratches appear which will be removed next chance of skilled polish.
Old polish/Condition scale: good - fair (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
Copper ground Habaki collar, preserved in a Shirasaya plain wood mounting
reference data : Honma Kunzan / Ishii Masakuni NINONTO MEIKAN Yuzankaku, 1975
