AS25436 Wakizashi(Sun-nobi Tanto) : Fujiwara Nagasada(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25436

Wakizashi(Sun-nobi Tanto) in Shirasaya(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature : Fujiwara Nagasada
Meiji Kigen Boshin Nen 10 Gatsuhi(Oct 1868)
Oite Kyoshi Zo Kore
藤原永貞
明治紀元戌辰年十月日　
於京師造之　　　

Shinshinto : Chujyosaku : Mino
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Saijyo Saku among the works by Fujiwara Nagasada.
Habaki: Single-layered, gold-covered
Blade Length: 31.5 cm (12.40 in)
Curvature: 0.1 cm (0.04 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.9 cm (1.14 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.62 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 260 grams
Era: October 1868 (1st year of Meiji era)
Shape:A robust tanto with mitsumune, featuring a wide body and thick kasane.
Jigane:Tightly forged ko-itame hada with fine jinie.
Beautiful jigane with delicate chikei.
Hamon:Nie-deki gunome midare with a deep nioiguchi.
The boshi returns in komaru style, with the hamon extending down to the mune-machi, forming a hitatsura-like appearance.
Sunagashi and kinsuji are actively seen in the blade.

Features:　Fujiwara Nagasada was a descendant of the Akasaka Senjuin school in Mino Province and was born in Tarui Town, Gifu Prefecture.
His real name was Matsui Jiichiro, born in 1809 (Bunka 6).
He often inscribed “Gokatsuyama Sanroku” (at the foot of Mt. Gokatsuyama) on his blades.
This area is said to have been where Tokugawa Ieyasu commanded his troops.
Nagasada moved to Edo around the Kōka era and studied under Taikei Naotane.
He later worked in Aoyama, Edo, and became a retained swordsmith of the Kishu Tokugawa family.
He passed away in June of 1869 (Meiji 2) at the age of 61.
Known as a serious craftsman, he left behind no inferior works.
It is said that his best works were sometimes signed off and falsely attributed as top-level kotō (old swords), and surviving signed pieces are rare.

Aoi Art’s Comment:　Okachiyama Nagasada earned his reputation as a retained swordsmith of the Kishu Tokugawa family and as a disciple of Taikei Naotane.
This piece, made in Kyoto in Meiji 1, is a masterpiece crafted in the style of the Hasebe school of Yamashiro.
It is full of vigor, with striking kinsuji activity in the blade.
Nagasada often signed “Okachiyama Sanroku” or “Ise Tamanaka.”
He worked in various locations including Edo Aoyama, Kyoto, and Tamanaka Castle in Ise.
The term “Okachiyama” originates from the Osaka Winter Campaign, where Tokugawa Hidetada’s headquarters stood and the Tokugawa army claimed victory.
This blade shows Nagasada’s departure from the Mino tradition and his mastery of the Sōshū-den style.
It is an impressive and spirited work modeled after the Hasebe school.
He passed away eight months after producing this blade, in June of Meiji 2 (age 61).
In my opinion, this is among his finest works (Saijyo Saku).
Interestingly, the signature includes the rare inscription “Made in Kyoshi (Kyoto).”

NBTHK Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper with whole oshigata
*Please note: The price does not include shipping fees.