Shinto Katana
Signed: Hizen Kuni ju Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro
Length: 28 5/16", 72.0cm
Sori: 3/4", 1.9 cm
Motohaba: 1 5/16", 3.3cm
Kisakimoto: 13/16", 2.1cm
This large sword is by Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro. He is the second generation mainline master of the Hizen school. Born Hashimoto Heisakuro in 1614, he took over the duties as the mainline master of the Hizen school when his father Tadayoshi died in 1632. He had been forging swords for nine years and was 19yrs old. His early signature was Hizen Kuni Ju Fujiwara Tadahiro. He received the Omi Daijo title in July, 1641 and by looking at how the wara character is cut in the mei along with a couple of other characteristics, it can be speculated that he made this sword around 1644-1647. He would have been about 30-33yrs old and at the peak of his abilities.
This sword has a very fine konuka hada with a fine jinie evenly spread over the ji which is characteristic of Hizen blades. The hamon is a suguha that has a thick habuchi of ko-nie and exhibits ko-ashi and yo. The hamon stops just above the machi which is very common in Hizen blades and rarely seen in other schools. The boshi is a beautiful komaru that ends in a short kaeri.
Overall the workmanship is very typical of this smith and this blade is a excellent example of the fine workmanship this smith was capable of. The blade is in a very old polish with only a few stains and some fine scratches marring its surface. This sword is very healthy, measuring 3.3 cm at the hamachi which does not show any evidence of having been polished down. It is very rare to come across a blade in this kind of pristine condition.
This sword received Tokubetsu Hozon papers in the November 02 shinsa (without a polish). The polish was re-done by Mr Fujishiro and this sword received the Juyo Token certification in the September 03 shinsa.
It is extremely difficult for a shinto sword to achieve Juyo status, so that is a good indication of the outstanding quality and condition of this sword.
This sword is seriously for sale please inquire
