AS25158 Katana: Hizen Koku Ju Oumi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Inscription: Hizen Koku Ju Oumi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro
肥前国住近江大掾藤原忠廣

We divide works in to Saijo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku,and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Oumi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro.

Habaki: gold-plated single habaki
Blade Length: 70.5cm (27.76in)
Curvature: 1.6cm (0.63in)
Width at Base(Motohaba): 3.27cm (1.29in)
Width at tip(Sakihaba): 2.08cm (0.82in)
Thickness: 0.66cm (0.26in)
Blade Weight: 775g
Era: the early Edo period
Shape: wide and thick blade with small curveture and long Kissaki. Stout and sound Katana.
Jigane: extremely fine Ko-itame hada with Jinie
Hamon: bright and thick suguha with rounded Boshi.

Features:
Hizen Koku Ju Fujiwara Tadahiro was a son of the 1st generation of Tadahiro and his works began to appear from Kan’ei 10(1663), and in Kan’ei 18(1641), he received the title of Tadayoshi. Throughout his life, he did not succeed to the name of Tadayoshi but signed only as Tadahiro.
He made swords for about 60 years until his death at the age of 80 in 1693, producing a large number of works with diverse styles. Tadahiro’s swords are known for their excellent cutting ability and were classified as O-wazamono. He is said to be the finest among the Hizen swords for the beauty of Jigane. Hizen swords are known for the beauty of refine Jigane. It is believed because the swordsmiths of Hizen were under the protection of the Nabeshima clan, who managed the Dejima trading post, allowing them to use high-quality iron imported from the Netherlands.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Aoi-Art estimation Paper
whole Oshigata