AS25786 Wakizashi:Omi no Kami Hojoji Tachibana Masahiro (Gold Inlay Inscription): On the last day of the first month, Kanbun 7 (1667), Yamano Kaemon Nagahisa (kao) Cut through two bodies, severing both completely.(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS25786

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Omi no Kami Hojoji Tachibana Masahiro
(Gold Inlay Inscription):
On the last day of the first month, Kanbun 7 (1667),
Yamano Kaemon Nagahisa (kao)
Cut through two bodies, severing both completely.
近江守法城寺橘正弘
(金象嵌)寛文七年正月晦日
山野加右衛門永久(花押)
二ツ胴截斷両者截斷

Shinto: Wazamono: Jyo Saku: Musashi: Kanbun
(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 Omi no Kami Hojoji Masahiro.
Habaki: Single silver-foiled habaki.
Blade Length: 60.4 cm (23.78 in).
Curvature: 1.0 cm (0.39 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.91 cm (1.15 in).
Width at Yokote: 1.94 cm (0.76 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.71 cm (0.28 in).
Sword Weight: 620 g.
Era: Edo period, first month of 1667.
Shape: A broad-bladed wakizashi with graceful curvature and an unusually long blade approaching katana length.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with clearly visible grain.
Hamon: Deep nioiguchi with well-defined ashi. The boshi turns back in a rounded form.

Features: The Hojoji School flourished during the middle Edo period and produced many accomplished swordsmiths. The first-generation Masahiro worked during the Kanbun era alongside renowned smiths such as Kotetsu and Yamato no Kami Yasusada, and is regarded as the finest craftsman of the Hojoji lineage.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This blade bears a gold-inlaid tameshigiri inscription reading: “On the last day of the first month, Kanbun 7 (1667), Yamano Kaemon Nagahisa (kao), cut through two bodies, severing both completely.” This records a successful cutting test performed by the famous executioner and sword tester Yamano Kaemon Nagahisa. The blade is exceptionally long for a wakizashi, approaching the length of a katana, and is accompanied by an excellent koshirae.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round shakudo tsuba with openwork depicting bamboo leaves and snowflake motifs.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo ground carved with autumn insects and autumn grasses, highlighted with gold iroe.
Saya (Scabbard): Black lacquered saya with inro-bori carving.
Menuki: Tiger and leopard motifs, decorated with gold iroe.

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