AS24126 Tachi：Unshū-jū Tadayoshi Zo Kore (2nd)(Mukansa Swordsmith)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Tachi in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Unshū-jū Tadayoshi Zo Kore (2nd)(Mukansa Swordsmith)
Showa 43 nen Chushu Kichijitsu (Mid-autumn, 1968)
In celebration of the miraculous recovery and 25th year of revival, made for Mr. Yuzo Takahashi.
雲州住忠善造之(無監査刀匠)
昭和四十三年仲秋吉日
祝奇跡的生還再起二十五年
応高橋勇蔵氏需

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Unshū-jū Tadayoshi.
Habaki: Silver double Habaki.
Blade Length: 78.3 cm (30.83 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.27 cm (1.29 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.39 cm (0.94 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.87 cm (0.34 in)
Sword Weight: 935 g
Era: Showa 43 (1968)
Shape: Wide blade with a thick kasane, deep curvature, and slightly extended kissaki.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with a clear texture and active ashi, resulting in a refreshing surface appearance.
Hamon: Gunome-midare with rounded gunome; boshi is hazy and returns in small round (ko-maru).

Features:There were two generations of Unshū-jū Tadayoshi.
This piece is by the second generation, who held the title of Mukansa Tosho.
In Showa 41 (1966), he was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Ningen Kokuho – Living National Treasure).
His real name was Shin Kawashima.
He served as Executive Director of the All Japan Swordsmith Association and won many awards including:
Mainichi Newspaper Award (twice) Chairman’s Award
Three Encouragement Awards Two Special Awards
Three Excellence Awards Three Effort Awards
Grand PrizeHe was born in 1912.

Aoi Art’s Comment:The first-generation Tadayoshi, also known as Kawashima Zenzaemon, was active before the war and achieved recognition.
His successor, Shin Kawashima (2nd generation), inherited the tradition and was designated a Living National Treasure in 1966.
He received numerous honors for his work.
In particular, his choji-midare hamon, as seen in this blade, is highly praised and widely recognized.
This piece has a long blade at 78.3 cm with a beautifully formed choji-midare hamon.
The long remaining ubu-ha (unaltered edge) reflects the excellent condition of the sword.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata