AS25531 Wakizashi:Awataguchi Omi Kami Tadatsuna (Second Generation)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Orderning number:AS25531

Wakizashi: In Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Awataguchi Omi Kami Tadatsuna (Second Generation)
粟田口近江守忠綱(二代)

Saya-gaki: ? Kashiwa Ikkanhi
Omote: Kurikara
Ura: Hachiman Daibosatsu
Carving
Nagasa: 1 shaku 6 sun 5 bu (approximately 50.0 cm or 19.69 in)
Owned by Hisuijōan Shujin

Shinto: Ryo-wazamono: Jyojyo Saku: Settsu
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku.
Habaki: Single-layered silver
Blade Length: 50.0 cm (19.69 in)
Curvature: 1.6 cm (0.63 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.33 cm (1.31 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.74 cm (1.08 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.73 cm (0.29 in)
Sword Weight: 605 g
Shape: The blade is broad with a thick kasane, and has an extended kissaki, giving it a sturdy impression.
It has a relatively deep curvature.
On the front side, there is a carving of a “Kurikara” dragon entwined with a sword in grass style.
The reverse side is inscribed with “Hachiman Daibosatsu.”
The carving was not done by Tadatsuna himself but by a later craftsman.
Jigane: Finely forged ko-itame hada, resulting in a beautiful surface.
Hamon: Nie-based gunome-midare, with a midarekomi boshi that rounds at the tip.

Features: This blade is attributed to Awataguchi Omi no Kami Tadatsuna (Second Generation).
The carvings on the blade were made by a different artisan at a later date, not by Tadatsuna himself.
However, the workmanship on both sides is excellent.
The second-generation Tadatsuna was the son of the first-generation Omi no Kami Tadatsuna.
He was commonly known as Mandayū and took the art name Ikkanshi.
He was granted the title of Omi no Kami.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Claiming descent from Awataguchi Kunitsuna, a swordsmith from Kyoto in the Kamakura period, Tadatsuna’s father relocated to Osaka.
The first generation Tadatsuna received the title Omi no Kami.
It is said that during an incident in Edo Castle on March 24, 1784 (Tenmei 4), when Sano Zenzaemon assassinated Wakadoshiyori Tanuma Okitomo, the son of the powerful Rōjū Tanuma Okitsugu, the weapon used was a large wakizashi made by the second-generation Tadatsuna.
This event struck a symbolic blow against the notoriously corrupt Tanuma regime.
As a result, Sano was revered as the “Great Deity of Restoration,” and Tadatsuna’s blades gained immense popularity.

This piece resembles a katana in dimension despite being classified as a wakizashi.
Some of Tadatsuna’s works bear the name “Asai” engraved on the tang, likely indicating a connection to the Asai family.
It is a splendid hira-zukuri blade, measuring a robust 3.4 cm in width, and is in excellent condition.
Highly recommended.

Historical Background: During the Kanbun era of the Edo period, orders from samurai for swords decreased significantly, causing many swordsmiths to abandon their craft.
Sword makers explored not only sharpness but also visual appeal to market their works.
They employed various creative techniques such as flamboyant hamon, deeply set nioiguchi, beautiful jigane, and ornamental inscriptions (kinzogan).
While tantos were commonly produced during the Muromachi period, they fell out of favor in the Edo period since samurai typically carried a daisho set (katana and wakizashi) when visiting the castle.
Thus, production of tantos became extremely rare.
However, toward the end of the Edo period, as conflict intensified, demand for tantos rose again.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata