AS25431 Wakizashi ：Tajima Kami Hōjōji Tachibana Sadakuni (24th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Ordering Number: AS25431

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae (24th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Signature: Tajima Kami Hōjōji Tachibana Sadakuni
(Gold inlay) Kanbun 8, 3rd month, 28th day (April 25, 1668)
Cuts through 2 torsos
Yamano Kanjurō Hisahide (with kaō)
但馬守法城寺橘貞国　　　
(金象嵌)　寬文八年三月二十八日
弍ツ胴切落
山野勘十郎久英(花押)

Sayagaki: Written by Shibata-sensei
Bushū Edo – Tajima no Kami Hōjōji Sadakuni
Blade length: 1 shaku 8 sun 3 bu (approx. 55.5 cm)
Dated: Kanbun 8, 3rd month, 26th day (April 23, 1668)
Cuts through 2 torsos – Yamano Kanjurō Hisahide (kaō)
Gold inlay inscription
Both jigane and hamon are healthy and this is a masterpiece among his works
At first glance, it appears to be an excellent work by Nagasone Kotetsu

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Saijyo Saku (Highest Grade) among the works of Tajima no Kami Hōjōji Sadakuni.
Habaki: Double gold-covered habaki
Blade Length: 55.5 cm (21.85 in)
Curvature: 1.2 cm (0.47 in)
Mekugi Holes: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.04 cm (1.20 in)
Width at Yokote: 1.91 cm (0.75 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.68 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 575 g
Era: Kanbun period (Edo era, 17th century)
Shape: Broad and thick blade with appropriate curvature.
Extended kissaki, resulting in an excellent overall shape.
Jigane: Finely forged ko-itame hada, very dense and of excellent quality.
The tight grain resembles that of Kotetsu.

Hamon: Deeply set nioiguchi reminiscent of Inoue Shinkai’s style.
Soft hamon appears beneath the hardened edge.
The boshi shows a deep nioiguchi and a yakisage style.

Features:
Shinto: Jyo Saku: Musashi
Tajima no Kami Hōjōji Tachibana Sadakuni belonged to the Hōjōji school, alongside smiths such as Masahiro, Masateru, and Kunimasa.
Among them, Sadakuni is known as one of the most skilled, producing works rivaling Kotetsu and earning high regard.
This blade is considered the finest work by Sadakuni.
It bears a gold inlay cutting test inscription stating it cut through two torsos, performed by Yamano Kanjurō Hisahide on April 25, 1668.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Shakudō base with a cloud dragon motif carved, rim decorated with gold rope pattern.
Fuchikashira: Shakudō nanako-ji with family crests.
Saya: Glossy black lacquered saya.
Menuki: Shakudō with high-relief plant motifs, decorated with gold iroe.
Kozuka: Shakudō nanako-ji with ginkgo and pine needles, in high relief using gold and shakudō nanako-ji.
Includes kogatana (small knife).

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is an outstanding Juyo Token by Tajima no Kami Hōjōji Sadakuni.
It features a deeply set nioiguchi similar to Inoue Shinkai’s style and a cutting test inscription, making it an exceptional work.
The koshirae is also of high quality.
We highly recommend this piece.

24th NBTHK Juyo Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper: Whole Oshigata