AS21120-Katana: Mumei (Hizen Koku Tadayoshi) First generation.

Katana in Shirasaya(NBTHK Hozon Token)
Signature:　Mumei (Hizen Koku Tadayoshi) First generation.

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo Saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki :　Gold foild single habaki.
Blade length :　71.5　cm or 28.1 inches.
Sori : 1.6 cm or 0.62 inches.
Mekugi : 　2
Width at the hamachi : 3.48 cm or 1.37 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2.4 cm or 0.94 inches.
Kasane : 0.75 cm or 0.29 inches.
The weight of the sword : 925 grams.

Era : Early Edo period.
Shape : Wide and thick Katana with moderate Sori, longer Kissaki.
Jigane : Ko Itame Hada well graiend with Jinie attach.
The Jigane is beautiful Hizen Jigane.
Hamon : Nie Deki, Suguha Hamon with thick Nioikuchi and Ko-Ashi.Boshi is round shape. In the Ha, there are Sunagashi and Kinsuji.

Special feature: Tadayoshi the First, born Hashimoto Shinzaemon was a swordsmith of Hizen province, present Saga pref. in Kyushu Island. Both his father and grandfather passed away when Tadayoshi was 13 years old so Tadayoshi learned under Dotanuki Zenbei in Higo province, present Kumamoto pref. Tadayoshi and Munenaga went to Kyoto to learn under the Umetada School in 1596. Tadayoshi learned to forge sword and Munenaga learned the carving. They returned in 1598. Tadayoshi worked as a retained swordsmith of the Nabeshima family in the domain of Saga. Tadaysohi’s first sword inscribed the date was forged in 1600 at the age of 29. He changed the name to Tadahiro at the occasion of approved as the Musashi-Daijo in February 1624. Tadahiro (Tadayoshi) passed away in 1632.
His sword was ranked as a Saijyo-saku O-wazamono in the shin-to period. The Hizen School placed an extremely important position in the history of this period. The main Tadayoshi family and derived branches had been developed and prospered.

From Aoi Art: This magnificent work was identified by Dr. Honami Koson as Rai Kunimitsu in Showa 13th year,
but was identified as Hizen Kuni Tadayoshi 1st by NBTHK. In our opinion, this sword is Tadayoshi 1st. At that time Tadayoshi was a very famous high reputation swordsmith.

NBTHK Hozon paper
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata