AS26283 Katana：Hizen no Kuni Junin Tadayoshi Saku (1st Generation) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS26283

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Hizen no Kuni Junin Tadayoshi Saku (1st Generation)
肥前国住人忠吉作(初代)

Shinto: Saijo O-Wazamono: Saijyo-saku: Hizen, Keicho period.
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Hizen no Kuni Junin Tadayoshi Saku.
Habaki: Double-layer gold-covered habaki.
Blade Length: 74.24 cm (29.23 in).
Curvature: 1.36 cm (0.54 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.14 cm (1.24 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.24 cm (0.88 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.72 cm (0.28 in).
Sword Weight: 875 g.
Era: Edo period, around the Kan’ei era (1624-1644), when the smith was approximately 44 years old.
Shape: Wide mihaba, deep curvature, and a long kissaki.
Jigane: Exceptionally well-forged and tightly compacted ko-itame hada, producing a clear and refined steel surface.
Hamon: Expertly executed suguha with abundant small ashi.
The boshi returns in a rounded form.

Features: Tadayoshi was originally known as Hashimoto Shinzaemon no Jo Tadayoshi and lived in Takase Village, Hizen Province.
In Keicho 1 (1596), he traveled to Kyoto and became a student of Umetada Myoju.
He returned to Hizen in Keicho 3 (1598) and settled in the castle town of Saga.
In Kan’ei 1 (1624), upon receiving the title Musashi Daijo, he changed his name to Tadahiro.
He passed away on August 15, Kan’ei 9 (1632) at the age of 61.

Aoi Art’s Comment: In the case of the first-generation Tadayoshi, the signature always ends with the character “Saku” (“made by”).
If the signature does not include “Saku,” the blade is attributable to Tosa no Kami Tadayoshi instead.
This is an important point to note.

Historical Background: The Keicho period (1596-1615) was a turbulent era spanning the final years of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Battle of Sekigahara, and the establishment of the foundations of the Tokugawa Shogunate by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Major events included the two Japanese invasions of Korea, the Battle of Sekigahara, the founding of the Edo Shogunate, and the fall of the Toyotomi family following the Siege of Osaka.
1596 (Keicho 1): A series of major earthquakes, including the Keicho Fushimi Earthquake, occurred, and the era name was changed to Keicho.
1612 (Keicho 17): The shogunate issued a prohibition against Christianity in its directly controlled territories.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.