AS25233 Wakizashi(Sunnobi Tanto)： Hizen Koku Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Masahiro(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Wakizashi(Sunnobi Tanto) in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Hizen Koku Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Masahiro
肥前国河内大掾藤原正広

Shinto: Jyo 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 of Hizen no Kuni Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Masahiro.
Habaki: Gold-colored habaki.
Blade Length: 34.8 cm (13.70 in)
Curvature: 0.76 cm (0.30 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.25 cm (1.28 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.61 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 290 grams
Era: Around Kan’ei era, Edo period (circa 1624–1644)
Shape: A wide hirazukuri-style Sunnobi Tanto with a width of 3.25 cm.
On the omote, it is carved with a suken (Buddhist sword) and claw motif, and on the ura, with a bohi and soehi (groove and accompanying groove).
Jigane: Beautifully forged ko-itame hada forming the typical Hizen jihada.
Hamon: Nie-deki gunome-midare, with a deep turn-back in ko-maru at the tip.

Features: Hizen Koku Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Masahiro was the son of Yoshinobu.
His common names were Sadenjiro and Goto Shichibei.
His first name was Masanaga, which he changed to Masahiro in 1849.
He received the title of Kawachi Daijo the same year.
He passed away on February 5, 1665, at the age of 59.

Aoi Art’s Comment:
As many of you may know, in the Edo period, the production of tanto almost ceased, and civilian daggers were made only in small numbers.
Because the practical need for tanto declined sharply, very few were produced in reality.
Samurai, for example, rarely brought tanto with them when attending the castle for duty.
As a result, Edo-period tanto are considered extremely rare today and often fetch high prices.
This work is particularly solidly built and can be considered a highly attractive piece.
We recommend acquiring it as a rare collectible.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata