Ordering Number: AS26099

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Echizen Ju Harima Daijo Fujiwara Shigetaka (1st generation) / Iwami no Kami Fujiwara Nobuyori
越前住播磨大掾藤原重高(初代)
石見守藤原信仍

Shinto: Wazamono: Chujosaku: Echizen
We classify swords into Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku based on the swordsmith's skill.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Echizen Ju Harima Daijo Fujiwara Shigetaka.
Blade Length: 71.4 cm (28.11 in)
Curvature (Sori): 1.4 cm (0.55 in)
Mekugi-ana (peg hole): 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.04 cm (1.20 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.13 cm (0.84 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.67 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 710 grams
Era: Edo period, around the Kanbun era (1661–1673).
Shape: A well-proportioned sword with a standard mihaba.
Jigane: Mokume hada mixed with itame hada, well-forged, with the grain (hada) clearly visible.
Hamon: Suguha mixed with notare (gentle waves), forming a calm, gentle hamon.

Features: Echizen Ju Harima Daijo Fujiwara Shigetaka was active from around the Kan'ei era (1624–1644) in the Edo period.
He is said to have made many wakizashi and naginata, but very few katana.
The first-generation Shigetaka in particular made few katana, which are almost nonexistent.
On the reverse (ura), the signature of Iwami no Kami Fujiwara Nobuyori is inscribed.
Collaboration blades (gassaku) are rare, so this is a piece we can recommend.

Aoi Art's Comment: As mentioned above, many of Echizen Ju Harima Daijo Fujiwara Shigetaka's works show a calm notare (gentle wave).
Moreover, unlike the second and later generations, many of his pieces are broad and tightly forged (compact); in Mr. Fujishiro's Shinto-hen (New Sword volume) as well, it is noted that he made many hira-zukuri (flat-construction) works and wakizashi.
Even I had never seen a work by the first generation before.
Furthermore, this is a collaboration blade with Iwami no Kami Fujiwara Nobuyori.
Nobuyori was likely a student of the first-generation Echizen Ju Harima Daijo Fujiwara Shigetaka.
In my youth, while searching for swords in England, I once found and purchased a tanto by the first-generation Echizen Ju Harima Daijo Fujiwara Shigetaka.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata

Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.

Auction Starting Price:1,000,000JPY

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