AS25414 Katana:Hizen no Kuni Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Fuchikashira: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Fuchikashira: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu)

Signature: Hizen no Kuni Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro
肥前国近江大掾藤原忠広

Shinto: Jyojyo Saku: O-wazamono: Hizen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Hizen no Kuni Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro.
Habaki: Gold foiled double Habaki.
Blade Length: 74.8 cm (29.45 in)
Curvature: 1.8 cm (0.71 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.15 cm (1.24 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 2.22 cm (0.87 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.66 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 725 g
Shape:The blade is wide with a slightly thick kasane, features a deep curvature, and an extended kissaki, showing an excellent shape.
Jigane:Well-forged ko-itame hada typical of Hizen jigane.
Hamon:Nie-based, deep nioiguchi with a suguha pattern actively mixed with small ashi.
The boshi has a deep nioiguchi and returns in a rounded manner.

Features: A robust blade with a prominent curvature and long kissaki, typical of the works by Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Shakudo tsuba decorated in gold with a motif of a dragon swimming in the sea and waves.
Fuchikashira: Made of shakudo with a high-relief carving of a dragon, signed “Seijo”(NBTHK Hozon Tosogu).
Saya (Scabbard): Red lacquered saya.
Menuki: Made of shakudo, high-relief carving of a dragon, colored with gold.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is an outstanding work by Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro accompanied by a fine koshirae.
While most of Tadahiro’s works are suguha, this piece features a rare gunome-midare pattern with exceptional craftsmanship.
The Hizen blades by Omi Daijo are noted for their beautiful jigane and deep nioiguchi suguha hamon, or well-aligned gunome-midare heads.
This beauty, together with the refined jigane, creates exceptional elegance.
It is believed that this superior jigane was the result of strict domain rules in the Nabeshima clan, which prohibited the techniques from leaking to other provinces.
This secrecy persisted through the late Edo period, even to the time of the last Tadayoshi.

According to Aoi Art:
Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro, a Hizen swordsmith, was the biological son of the first-generation Tadayoshi and was originally named Hashimoto Heisakuro.
After the death of his father, he began forging swords around 1633 (Kanei 10), and in 1641 (Kanei 18), at the age of 29, he received the title of Omi Daijo.
His peak period was during the Shoho and Keian eras following his appointment.
He never succeeded the Tadayoshi name but continued to sign as Tadahiro throughout his life.
He was granted a residence and a stipend of 20 koku of rice by the domain and worked to promote Hizen swords.
With a long active period of about 60 years and a long life, he produced many works in a diverse range of styles.
He died in 1693 (Genroku 6) at the age of 80.
Although he produced many works, from around 1663 (Kanbun 3), some late works were created by the third generation as substitutes.
His blades are known for excellent cutting ability and are designated as O-wazamono.
Hizen swords are said to possess the finest jigane, with Tadahiro highly regarded as the next great master after his father, Tadayoshi.
These swords were made under special support from the Nabeshima domain, and the techniques were kept secret throughout the long Edo period.
Hizen’s itame hada is very similar to that of Bungo swords, but it was protected with unparalleled skill.
Tadahiro carried on the legacy of the first generation and worked actively until the age of 80, resulting in a vast number of works with excellent quality.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Fuchikashira: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata