This blade is by the Nidai Tadahiro, made in 1637 when he was 23 years old. This was five years after his father Shodai Tadayoshi had died. It can be discerned by the fine chisel used in the cutting of the mei that it was signed by Tadahiro himself. This is important in that he previously had someone else inscribe his mei up until approximately 1634. There is speculation as to who did the inscriptions (possibly Shodai Masahiro) and it is postulated that the same person did the mei for the Shodai Tadahiro (Shodai Tadayoshi) in his final years, as the chisel and technique are the same. In any case this mei is cut with the fine chisel and mannerisms of Nidai Tadahiro and four years after this blade was made he received the title Omi Daijo. Dated blades by the mainline Hizen smiths are very rare, katanas even more so.. This date is in the early period when Tadahiro was asserting his control over the Hizen school and as such is particularly important.
The jigane is the typical tight nashiji hada with fine ji-nie. The hamon is a suguha with a very thick nioi guchi that has a very fine nie that is exceptionally bright. There are fine ashi, lots of thick sunagashi and nijuba worked into the hamon. The boshi is komaru with a short kaeri. Over all the workmanship is exceptional even for this highly rated smith.
This sword is in a top quality shirasaya that has a ivory insert at the mekugiana and a horn mekugi as well as a first class niju gold habaki. There is the an Edo period saya with sunagi and the original single silver habaki as well as the original tsuka with high quality same. The saya is in good condition and has a nice horn kurikata with gold fittings. This would make a beautiful period koshirae. A tsuba, menuki and fuchi kashira are all that is needed to restore the mounts.
This sword has the jewel like qualities that the best sword smiths were capable of producing. It is rare to find dated blades by Tadahiro, even more so to find one this early in his career. This is an exceptional sword by one of the most highly rated Shinto smiths polished by Fujishiro and in pristine condition.
Price: $28,000
