AS22686 Wakizashi:Hizen Kuni Tadayoshi(the 1st)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number: AS22686
Wakizashi in Shirasaya(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Hizen Kuni Tadayoshi(the 1st)
肥前国忠吉(初代)

Shinto: Saijyo Oowazamono:Hizen
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo saku ranking.
Habaki: Gold foiled single Habaki.
The blade is polished.
Blade length:38.0cm or 14.96inches.
Sori:0.2cm or 0.07inches.
Mekugi:3
Width at the hamachi:3.04cm or 1.19inches.
Kasane:0.58cm or 0.22inches.
The weight of the sword:275grams
Era: Around the Keicho era, the Edo period
Shape: The blade is broad and thick. Hirauchi shape with Bohi on the both sides.
Jigane: Itamehada with rough texture and Chikei. There is small Kizu on the tip of both sides.
Hamon: Niedeki Suguha with deep Nioikuchi, Notare. Small sparcles of Kinsuji work and the tip turns back round.

Special feature: Tadayoshi 1st generation was born at Hizen Nagase village(present Nagase village) in Genki 3(1572), called himself as Hashimoto Shinzaemon, and was supposed to be originally from Samurai family. His grandfather, Uchizo Masa Morihiro, served for Ryuzoji family, however he died in Tensho 12(1584) at Shimabara by war. His father also died of illness in that year. Tadayoshi went to the house of Higo Dou Tanuki Zenbei, a sword smith at Nagasemura, and learned sword making from him. In Keicho 1(1596), the Domain ordered him and his school mate Munenaga to go to Umedtada Akitoshi school in Tokyo, and Tadayoshi learned sword making and Munenaga learned sculpturing. In Keicho 3 he came back home. He was transferred to Saga castle town and worked as an employed sword smith at Nabeshima family, Saga Domain. The first
Nenkisaku(works with production date) starts with the ones of Keicho 5(1600) at the age of 29. In Genna 10(1624) he went to Tokyo again and 30th of February in the same year the name of era has changed into Kanei. In Kanei 1(1624), he succeeded the Musashi Daijo and changed his signature to Tadahiro at the age of 53. He got home in the same year. He passed away on 15th of August 1632, Kanei, at the age of 61. Tadayoshi 1st has made swords for approx. 30 years, however he had no poor works, every single sword is a beautiful one above average. Because his signature had 5 letters (肥前国忠吉), he was also called as Goji Tadayoshi(Tadayoshi of 5 letters). He was as skillful as Kunihiro in Kyoto, and was ranked at the best work of Shinto: Saijo O-Wazamono. In his family every representatives except 2nd and 7th had succeeded the signature Tadayoshi.

From Aoi Art: Hitokiri Izo(Okada Izo) is said to have loved swords of Tadayoshi the 1st, and he gained a Tadayoshi sword that was once possessed by Sakamoto Ryoma, which was the first Tadayoshi sword for him.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token paper
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata by Ayaka Tsuruta