May 12-14, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
Lot #1309:
AN IMPORTANT NIDAI TADAHIRO KATANA ATTRIBUTED TO GENERAL YODA SHIRO, WHO SERVED JAPAN IN THE INTERWAR PERIOD.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/12/2026
Yoda Shiro was a Major General in the Imperial Japanese Army, heavily involved in the establishment and running of Manchukuo, also known as Manchuria. Shiro graduated from the IJA Academy in November 1903, as part of the 15th class. In February of the following year he became a second lieutenant assigned to the 47th Infantry Regiment. He rose through the ranks, including becoming the Lieutenant of the 48th, Adjutant of the Tsushima Guard Infantry, and Company Commander of the 72nd Infantry Regiment. In 1915 he graduated from the Army War College, and served as the Battalion Commander of the 39th Infantry. Other notable placements include the Urashio Expeditionary Force which traveled to Vladivostok, General Staff Headquarters, Infantry Commander of the Tianjin Garrison Army, and Commander of the Kurume Regimental District. He was involved in both the Jinan and Manchuria Incidents, which solidified Japanese power in China. During the Jinan incident, he was the commander of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, and was presumably involved in the taking of Jinan, and during the Manchurian Incident he was the commander of the 38th Mixed Brigade. After both incidents, he was placed in the reserves in 1933, instead serving as the deputy director of the Xing’an General Administration and the Mongolian Government Department before retiring in 1937. After the war he appears to have involved in both the Manchuria Tensan Company, and the Zenrin Kyokai. After the war, he was one of those explicitly banned from holding public office, as part of an effort to keep wartime personnel from assuming post-War positions. General quality mounted sword, presumably given to him when he became a Major General in 1931. These mounts were specially made for his provided family blade, with a specialized liner dropping into the scabbard. Careful removal of the liner reveals “Yoda” on the liner. Other elements of the scabbard are correct with gilded mounts and exotic handle material; family mon at rear. Koiguchi is a replacement without screws, but fits and locks appropriately; lock sometimes slips. The sword is an outstanding ubu Hizen blade signed “Hizen Kuni Ju Omi no Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro”. He was the son of the shodai Tadahiro and received the Omi no Daijo title in 1641. He had a lengthy sixty year career, and his swords are rated O-Wazamono for their cutting ability. He was particularly notable for refining the konuka hada that Hizen became known for, and his swords are considered extremely desirable. This sword measures 2 shaku 3 sun 5 bu (approximately 71.2cm or just over 28”). The jigane is a well knit konuka hada, with areas of itame and chikei. The hamon is a calm suguha with a maru boshi. Ubu nakago with kengyo nakagojiri, one mekugi-ana, and kiri yasurime. The sword is accompanied by NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers attesting to the authenticity of the signature and quality of the blade. CONDITION: Blade is in excellent polish and shows off features well, with some very minor looseness in the shinogi, appropriate for a sword nearly 400 years old. Mounts are good with some surface scratches and handling marks consistent with exposure to the elements and use, and some raised oxidation on midpoint. Gilding largely rubbed away with better retention in the recessed areas. Koiguchi a replacement with an electropenciled social security number. This is not only a very important sword as a nidai Tadahiro, but identification to an infamous general who carried it throughout his career makes it an important historical piece as well.
ADDENDUM: Photos of papers uploaded.
Accessories
General Mounts