T289977(W1799) Wakizashi unsigned attributed to Fujiwara TAKADA
with)Blue Pearl of inlay lacquered scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae
NBTHK(Hozon)
Shinto Early Edo period (Kan'ei - Shouhou era/circa 1624-47) Bungo
Length of cutting edge 39.7cm Curvature 1.0cm Width of base 31.0mm Thickness of base 7.6mm Thickness of Shinogi 8.8mm
Blade construction (kengyo) : Naginata-naoshi-zuruki, Iori-mune. Wide in Mihaba and upper Fukura area swells out, thick in Kasane and high in Shinogi-suji in which volume is shaved off toward the back ridge. Naginata-style grooves appears on both sides. Such lively brave shape shows the typical standard which had circulated during early Edo period and designed as a supplement usage for a Katana. (click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph)
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is conspicuous Itame-hada ware where crystallized Ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface) sparkles clearly against thick lines of Chikei (darkish Nie lines) activity. The shinogi-ji surface gives off outstanding Masame-hada ware.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon forms a bit on coarse side Nie, undulating Notare and Gunome. Deep and thick Nie accumulates along boundary line where works with thick lines of frequent Kin-suji and short lines of delicate Sunagashi streams.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Temper of Boshi forms irregular Midarekomi with an indication of brush up Hakikake then medium circles turn back deeply.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is UBU in original unsigned with shallow slanting left (katte-sagari) file marks and back ridge of Nakago is flat with greatly slanting left filemark (Ō-sujikai) is perceived. Ha-agari-Kurijiri (un-even U-shape) heel shape. One Mekugi-ana peg hole.

Ancient times in Bungo province (now in Oita pref.) in 12 th century, the famed sword smiths monk SADAHIDE 定秀 or YUKIHIRA 行平 had come out, then for a long ages in 14 th 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 ?yamazumi 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 to Shinto age, the smith TOMOYUKI 統行 had recovered the name of Fujiwara clan so that Takada works of Shinto period is commonly named named alias "Fujiwara Takada".
The workmanship of Tadada school is wide ranged with a composite of the major schools of Bizen, Soshu, Yamashiro and Yamato and the major three smithes of MUNEYUKI 統行, SHIGEYUKI 重行 and YUKINAGA 行長 deserve the great praise of Supreme sharp "Yoki-wazamono" cutting peformance.

The subject majestic Wakizashi is strongly-built, massively thick in Kasane in full of samurai martial spirit. Forging is typical Itame-hada which is consist of hard and soft steel for durable construction and hardening in rich activities under Soushu-style quenching technique.

Blue Peral of inlay lacquered scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae (click HERE for entire Koshirae and HERE for each fitting)
  • Fuchi/kashira : Shakudo ground solid Manako-ji surface, unsigned
  • Menuki : Horse design, Shakudo ground, Yobori-carving
  • Kozuka : Horse design, Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, gold/silver Iroe inlay, unsigned
  • Tsuba : Iron ground, Hammered surface, Gourd design, unsinged
  • Tsuka : White rayskin dark blue silk cord Moro-tsumami-maki style wrap
Good polish/Condition scale: very good (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
 
Wakizashi unsigned attributed to Fujiwara TAKADA with)Blue Pearl of inlay lacquered scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae
Wakizashi unsigned attributed to Fujiwara TAKADA with)Blue Pearl of inlay lacquered scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae
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