AS25391 AS25391 Wakizashi: Hizen Koku Mutsu Kami Tadayoshi(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Wakizashi in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Hizen Koku Mutsu Kami Tadayoshi
肥前国陸奥守忠吉

Shinto: Jyojyo Saku: Saijo O-Wazamono: Hizen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku (superior grade) among works by Hizen Koku Mutsu Kami Tadayoshi.
Habaki: Double-layered, gold and silver-plated
Blade Length: 1 shaku 7 sun 3 bu ≈ 52.4 cm (20.63 in)
Curvature: 4 bu 5 rin ≈ 1.36 cm (0.54 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.25 cm (1.28 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.38 cm (0.94 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.68 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 630 g
Era: Edo period, around Kanbun era (circa 1661–1673)
Shape: A robust blade with wide mihaba, thick kasane, extended kissaki, and deep curvature.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, extremely well-forged, producing a refined texture.
Hamon: Made in nie-deki, a straight hamon with deeply defined nioiguchi. The ha-edge is soft and refined, showing excellent jigane. The boshi turns back roundly with deep nioiguchi.

Features: The smith was the third-generation Tadayoshi, known as Shinzaemon, the legitimate son of the second-generation Tadahiro.
In October of Manji 3 (1660), he was granted the title Mutsu Daijo.
He is considered one of the finest masters of jigane within the Hizen tradition, with his beautiful forging and deep nioiguchi highly admired.
Although this piece has been slightly shortened and adjusted at the machi, it has clearly been carefully preserved.
It is a solid and highly recommended wakizashi.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This work is a wide and thick wakizashi with excellent niku (meatiness).
Its jigane is outstanding and perfectly represents the characteristics of Hizen no Kuni Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi.
A healthy and remarkable sword.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata