Ordering　number:AS23288

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Hizen Kuni Ju Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi
肥前国住陸奥守忠吉

Shinto: Jyojyo Saku, Saijo O Wazamono, Hizen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Hizen Kuni Ju Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi.
Habaki: Gold foil single-layer
Blade Length: 69.4 cm (27.32 in)
Curvature: 1.4 cm (0.55 in)
Mekugi Hole: 3
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.99 cm (1.18 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.11 cm (0.83 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.71 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 760 grams
Era: Edo period, around 1660s (Manji era)
Shape:Although the blade has been slightly shortened (suriage) and the tang adjusted, the signature remains completely intact.
The jigane is particularly excellent.
Jigane:Typical of Hizen blades, with outstanding forging.
The utsuri effect appears, making the surface steel beautifully clear.
Hamon:Bright and clear choji-midare mixed with gunome-midare, forming a continuous pattern.
Inside the hamon, ha activity such as ha leaves appears, clearly showcasing the master craftsmanship of Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi.
The hamon resembles an Ichimonji style, with soft nioiguchi, and is excellently made.
The boshi is midare-komi.

Features:　Although this blade has undergone some shortening, the Ichimonji-style workmanship surpasses that drawback.
Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi produced relatively few blades, likely due to assisting the first and second generations.
He passed away at the age of 50, which also contributes to the limited number of his works.
This is a highly sought-after piece among collectors and rarely appears on the market.
The jigane is superb, and this blade is highly recommended.
As the 3rd generation after the first Tadayoshi, this sword is arguably the most technically accomplished among Hizen blades.

Aoi Art’s Comment:
Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi was the legitimate son of Omi Daijo Tadahiro and succeeded as the third-generation Tadayoshi.
In 1660 (Manji 3), he received the title Mutsu Daijo and the following year (Kanbun 1), it was changed to Mutsu no Kami.
He assisted his father, the second-generation Tadahiro, and passed away at the age of 50.
His works are relatively few in number.
The beauty of his jigane is exceptional, and many works signed by the second-generation Tadahiro are in fact believed to be made by Mutsu no Kami as substitutes, and are valued as such.
This piece is a rare naginata-style work by Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi, making it extremely rare.
The hamon is a bright nioi-deki gunome-midare pattern, and the jigane is of outstanding beauty.
The polish is also of the highest quality.
In my opinion, Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi’s works are the finest among all Hizen blades.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper / Whole Oshigata

Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.
Auction Starting Price:2,500,000JPY

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