AS25787 Katana:Hizen Koku Ju Mutsu Kami Tadayoshi (3rd Generation)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)

Ordering Number: AS25787

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)

Signature: Hizen Koku Ju Mutsu Kami Tadayoshi (3rd Generation)
肥前国住陸奥守忠吉(3代)

Shinto: Saijo O Wazamono: Jyojyo Saku Hizen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Saijyo Saku (top ranking) among the works of Hizen Kuni Ju Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi (3rd generation).
Polish: Excellent quality polishing.
Habaki: Double gold foil habaki engraved with family crest in gold.
Blade Length: 2 shaku 8 bu (62.4 cm / 24.57 in)
Curvature: 4 bu 5 rin (1.36 cm / 0.54 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.97 cm (1.17 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.97 cm (0.78 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.59 cm (0.23 in)
Sword Weight: 590 g
Shape: With a blade length of 2 shaku 8 bu, it can be considered to have been made as a full-length katana.
Jigane: A beautifully forged, tight-grained Hizen-style jigane.
Hamon: Gunome-midare with pointed gunome mixed in; the nioikuchi is deep, and the boshi turns back deeply with rich nioikuchi.

Features:　Hizen Kuni Ju Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi (3rd generation), also known as Shinzaemon, was the legitimate son of the 2nd generation Tadayoshi (Tadahiro).
He received the title of Mutsu Daijo in October of Manji 3 (1660), and later became Mutsu no Kami in Kanbun 1 (1661).
He passed away on January 2nd of Jokyo 3 (1686).
This sword is published in the Hizen To Taikan on page 296.
Unusually, this blade is not in the typical suguha style, but instead features an elegant gunome-midare, with deep nioikuchi and a boshi that turns back deeply and roundly.
Although this sword holds the Tokubetsu Hozon certificate, its quality is undoubtedly Saijyo Saku.
It is listed in the Hizen To Taikan.

Koshirae: Han-Tachi Style Mounting
Tsuba: Shakudo tsuba with paulownia crests (kiri mon) in gold on both sides.
Fuchikashira / Kojiri: Shakudo nanako-ji with the edges adorned in gold.
Saya (Scabbard): Aogai-chirashi (blue shell inlay) with linear and cloud patterns.
Menuki: Carved tools motif on shakudo base, decorated with gold iroe (coloring).

Aoi Art’s Comment:　This koshirae appears to have belonged to a daimyo.
Both the blade and the koshirae suggest it was owned by a person of high status.
Most signed Hizen blades are short in length.
It is extremely rare to find a long blade signed by the 3rd generation Tadayoshi.
Published in Hizen To Taikan, p.296.
A rare and magnificent katana with equally impressive fittings.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper / Whole Oshigata