K3225(W2772)

Wakizashi signed Ōmi daijo Fujiwara TADAHIRO

Shinto Early Edo period (Shoho era circa 1644-47) Hizen
Length of cutting edge 53.3cm Curvature 1.1cm Width of base 31.5mm Thickness of base 7.0mm Width of Yokote 21.9mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

 

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Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Mihaba on base is wide and Kasane is a bit on thick side, heavy built wakizashi holding massive volume of Hiraji.There is less difference in width between base and the tip of Yokote with a moderate curvature, leading to a large Kissaki.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging mark from the middle part to the tip is supreme fine and uniform Ko-Itame in general, the lower part shows some flowing hada ware in the reversed side and observe some bluish stains so called "Sumihada" in the middle part on front side. The 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, Chu-Suguha straight temper line where deep sparkling hard metal granules "Nie" accumulates on the temper that grows in a belt. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area deeply with frequent short ASHI and floating YOU activities that creates Ni-ju-ha (double temper). The entire temper gives off the most brilliant flash among the other works.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms straight with a "Hakikake" short line of Nie brush up indication and medium circle turns back.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is a but shortened "SURIAGE" to be the heel shape is flat. Three peg holes. Slightly slanting right filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat in original. The clear inscription of 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 忠廣.

The 2nd generation TADAHIRO 忠廣 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.
The subject wakizashi is identified as the work in his early thirties of 1644-47. Although the tang is is a bit shortened, the blade is in good health that holds solidly massive volume with an extended kissaki. Most superior forging method using top quality fine steel so called "Tamahagane" generates precisely fine Ko-Itame with most supreme sparkling Ji-nie glitter that generates superior Chikei darkish Nie lines activity. The forging scene as the saying looks like a cutting section of Japanese pear so called "Nashi-ji". Evaluated as "Above Superior Made" / "Above Supreme Sharp".
Gold foiled single layer Habaki collar, Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
Recent polish/Condition scale: very good (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