AS25153 Wakizashi： Osaka Ju Fujiwara Kunihiro

Wakizashi in Shirasaya

Signature: Osaka Ju Fujiwara Kunihiro
大阪住藤原国広

Shinto: Settsu Province
At our company, we classify swordsmiths’ works into four categories: Saijyo Saku (Highest Grade), Jyojyo Saku (Very Superior), Jyo Saku (Superior), and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyo Saku, a superior grade, for works by Osaka Ju Fujiwara Kunihiro.
Habaki: Double-layered suaka (copper) with gold accents
Blade Length: 55.8 cm (21.97 in)
Curvature: 0.8 cm (0.31 in)
Mekugi Holes: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.88 cm (1.13 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.87 cm (0.74 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.60 cm (0.24 in)
Era: Edo period, around the Kan’ei era (1624–1644)
Shape:The blade has a standard width and thickness with a shallow curvature and a slightly wide boshi (tip).
Jigane: Koitame-hada (fine wood grain pattern) is well-forged, with visible standing grain and chikei (dark steel lines).
Hamon: Nie-deki gunome-midare with gentle undulations, featuring sunagashi (sand-like streaks) and kinsuji (bright lines) in the blade.
The boshi is rounded and returns smoothly.

Features:　This swordsmith is believed to be a student of the first-generation Kunihiro.
He relocated from Yamashiro Province to Settsu and worked as a swordsmith in Osaka.
There is a small old flaw visible near the ha-machi (base of the blade on the back side).

Aoi Art’s Comment:This swordsmith was active in Yamashiro before moving to Osaka, where he assisted the first-generation Kunihiro.
This explains why his works are relatively rare.

Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata