AS25080 Tanto：Hizen Koku Tadayoshi(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Hizen Koku Tadayoshi
肥前国忠吉

Shinto: Saijo O-Wazamono: Saijo Saku: Hizen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works by Hizen Koku Tadayoshi.
Habaki: Double-layered habaki with gold foil
Blade Length: 26.3 cm (10.35 in)
Curvature: 0.0 cm (0.00 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.66 cm (1.05 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.55 cm (0.22 in)
Sword Weight: 190 grams
Era: Edo period, around the Keicho era (1596–1615)
Shape: A well-balanced tanto known as “Goji Tadayoshi.” The omote side is carved with a flag and spear motif, while the ura side is carved with double grooves (futatsu-suji hi).
Jigane: Finely forged ko-itame hada forming the typical refined Hizen jigane.
Hamon: Nie-deki gunome-midare, with the boshi turning back in ko-maru.

Features: Hizen no Kuni Tadayoshi, known as Hashimoto Shinzaemon, lived in Hizen Nagase.
In Keicho 1 (1596), he went to Kyoto and became a disciple of Umetada Myoju.
He returned home in Keicho 3 (1598), moved to the Saga castle town, and received the title “Musashi Daijo” in Kan’ei 1 (1624).
His signature later changed from “Tadayoshi” to “Jūnin Tadayoshi Saku,” then “Musashi Daijo Tadahiro,” and finally to “Hizen no Kuni Ju Tadahiro.”
In the last “Tadahiro” signature, the dot above the character “Tada” (忠) was written in a rhombus shape.
Under the Nabeshima domain of Kyushu, Hizen swords were considered a major export item. The jigane was carefully protected and not allowed to be revealed to outsiders, making it highly sought after.
Although early Edo-period swords from Bungo Province produced beautiful hamon similar to Hizen swords, they could not replicate the jigane, and their craftsmanship eventually declined.
However, in their early years, Bungo swords had hamon as excellent as Hizen swords.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Shakudo with protruding rim, gold rim decoration
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako ground with flower motifs in gold iroe, signed: Mikami Mitsuhide (kao)
Saya: Black lacquer saya with paulownia design in gold maki-e
Menuki: Shakudo with flower motifs in gold iroe
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako ground with lotus flower design in gold iroe
Kogai: Shakudo nanako ground with lotus flower design in gold iroe, signed: Sano Michiyoshi (kao)

Aoi Art’s Comment: This tanto features an impressive gunome-midare hamon and showcases the distinctive carving style learned under Umetada Myoju, with a flag and spear on the omote and double grooves on the ura.
The koshirae is a unified set of exceptional craftsmanship.
We highly recommend this Goji Tadayoshi tanto and its superb koshirae as a protective and spiritual item for your home.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata