May 13-15, 2025 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2025
This blade is in the classical style known as "Kanbun Shinto", in which the swords had little or no curvature, possibly due to the change in swordsmanship during this era. Nagasa measures 74cm. Suriage but, even though shortened, this sword retains its strong stance and has a complete signature for Tadahiro. Tadahiro is ranked as Jo-Jo Saku and his swords are rated as O-wazamono for their cutting ability. This blade was done by Tadahiro himself, rather than by one of his pupils; the quality is so high, that if this blade was not shortened, it would be a good candidate for Juyo Token. The hamon is a textbook example of the famous Hizen Choji midare, which was meant to mimic the style of the Bizen blades from the Kamakura period. The jigane is the fine ko-itame (konuka) hada that the mainline Hizen School is noted for. There are plenty of hataraki throughout, with conspicuous nie, and sunagashi near the machi. Housed in a Hinoki wood shirasaya, and accompanied by a set of koshirae that comprises a roiro saya with purple sageo, tsuba with with nanako ground and depicting soft metal shishi dogs in a mountainous scene, with one dog throwing cubs off the cliff. Fuchi and kashira en suite, with more of a focus on floral elements, and menuki with shishi dogs and florals. With NBTHK Hozon token for tsuba, Ko-Kinko, dated July 2004, NBTHK Hozon for fuchi and kashira, to mumei Satsuma, and an NBTHK Hozon for Nidai Tadahiro dated 1992. CONDITION: Excellent, in a top shelf Japanese polish. Features are clearly and well defined throughout, including boshi. Mounts are excellent with some expected rubs from age. This is an absolutely exquisite sword from a top quality maker, already papered and packaged.
ADDENDUM: According to Mike Yamasaki, the noted sword authority who has viewed this sword in hand, this sword is of the type of Tadahiro's best work. A detail photo of the hamon has been added.
Accessories
Koshirae, 2x sword bags