AS25217 Wakizashi:Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Wakizashi: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro
近江大掾藤原忠広　

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 of Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro.
Habaki: Single gold-plated habaki
Blade Length: 51.8 cm (20.39 in)
Curvature: 9.1 cm (3.58 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.91 cm (1.15 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.22 cm (0.87 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.64 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 540 grams
Era: Edo period, around Kanbun era (1661–1673)
Shape: There is a machi-okuri of about 3 cm, but the blade has not been shortened and remains in healthy condition.
It is a well-shaped piece with wide mihaba, thick kasane, moderate curvature, and a slightly long kissaki.
Jigane: Well-forged small itame-hada, typical of Hizen steel.
Hamon: Nie-deki suguha with deep nioiguchi; the boshi is also deeply tempered and turns back in a round shape.

Features: Tadahiro was a swordsmith from Hizen and the legitimate son of the first-generation Tadayoshi.
His real name was Hashimoto Heisakuro.
After his father passed away, he began forging blades around 1633.
In 1641, at the age of 29, he received the title of Omi Daijo.
His prime years were said to be during the Shoho and Keian eras.
He never inherited the signature “Tadayoshi,” and continued using “Tadahiro.”
He received a residence and 20 koku of rice stipend from the domain, contributing greatly to the fame of Hizen swords.
His sword-making career spanned around 60 years, and due to his long life, he produced many works with a wide range of styles.
He passed away in 1693 at the age of 80.
His blades are known for their excellent cutting ability and are designated as “O-wazamono” (great cutting swords).
Especially regarding the beauty of the jigane, he is considered the finest among Hizen swordsmiths, second only to his father Tadayoshi.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Mokko-shaped iron tsuba carved with a design of human figures.
Fuchi: Shakudo base carved with a scene of a stone lantern and trees in the rain, decorated with gold.
Kashira: A scene of two people fighting is carved and highlighted with gold.
Saya (Scabbard): Vermillion lacquered saya; kojiri is made of iron.
Menuki: Depicts birds and possibly fish, decorated with gold.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Hizen swords are highly praised for their beautiful jigane.
It is said that the Nabeshima clan kept the iron source and forging method secret to preserve its quality.
Even in neighboring Bungo province, efforts to imitate Hizen swords can be seen, especially in the hamon, but the jigane remained inimitable.
The forging techniques were preserved within the Nabeshima domain until the end of the Edo period.
As a result, when judged in appraisals, the beautiful kawagane and distinctive suguha hamon earned high praise, even among other daimyo households.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata