説明
Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Kawachi no Kami Fujiwara Msahiro with NBTHK
Tokubetsu
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
Hizenkoku Kawachi no kami Fujiwara Masahiro
This blade was signed by Hishu Kawachi no Kami Fujiwara Masahiro (肥州河内守藤原正広) , also known as the second-gen Masahiro. He was especially active in sword-forging during the early Edo period (
Approx. 1658-1673
). He was born in the fourth year of Kan-Ei era (1626) as the child of the first-gen Masahiro. We contacted NBTHK and they confirmed that the appraisal was for the second-gen Masahiro.
The second-gen Masahiro received the honorable official title named Musashi Daijyo(武蔵大掾) in the third year of Manji era(1660) and promoted to Musashi no Kami(武蔵守) next year. He eventually received Kawachi no Kami(河内守) in the fifth year of Kan-Ei era (1665) after his father, first-gen Masahiro, was deceased. The second-gen died at the age of 73 in the 12th year of Genroku era(1699). We believe this blade was forged after 1665 as the signature includes Kawachi no Kami, his last title. Kami or Daijyo is an honorable official title given by the emperor for highly-skilled swordsmiths.
Hizenkoku, located in Saga prefecture, is the name of the place where the second-Masahiro forged swords. His linage dates back to the beginning of the Edo period, when the
first-gen Tadayoshi
, his great grandfather, founded the school. Tadayoshi is known as one of the greatest swordsmiths in the early Edo period in Japanese sword history.
His father, the first-gen Masahiro, is also a famous swordsmith in the province. The first-gen Masahiro started to serve Nabeshima Katsushige when he was 17 years old. Nabeshima Katsushige became the head of Saga Domain in Hizen in 1607.
The first-gen Masahiro was selected as Okakae Kaji for the Nabeshima clan, meaning he exclusively forged swords for the feudal family. The second-gen Masahiro, the swordsmith who forged this blade, was also an Okakaekaji for this clan. Nabeshima clan ruled Hizenkoku during the Edo period, which indicates that Masahiro served a powerful feudal lord.
The swordsmiths in the Hizen province worked under the auspices of the Nabeshima clan like the second-gen Masahiro. They were able to produce beautiful Jigane-patterned blades, also known as Hizen To, using and mixing carbon steel made in western countries. Hizenkoku had been flourishing by international trading. The geographic location of this domain made it possible to have easy access to western carbon steel.
The first-gen Tadayoshi (His grand grandfather)
The first-gen Tadayoshi was born and raised in the Saga domain. In 1596, under the domain’s order, he went to Kyoto to learn the sword-forging technique from Umetada Myojyu(埋忠明寿), one of the greatest swordsmiths in the early Edo period. He improved his craftsmanship and returned to the Saga domain two years later (1598). The first head of the Nabeshima clan, Nabeshima Katsushige, appreciated the work of the first-gen Tadayoshi very much. Then, Katsushige appointed him as his Okakaekaji, a swordsmith who exclusively forged swords for a specific domain or clan. And Tadayoshi started to stay near Saga castle, which is the headquarter of the Nabeshima clan. And, he founded Hizen Tadayoshi school, which trained more than 100 swordsmiths during the Edo period. Masahiro is one of them.
It is appraised as a
Tokubetsu Hozon Token
(特別保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai: 日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value.
*Please keep in mind that there are a couple of Kitae Kizu on this blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
*Please keep in mind that the Koshirae for this Wakizashi is close to the size of Katana Koshirae.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa)
:
54.6
cm (21.5inches)
Curvature (Sori)
:
1.6 cm (0.63 inches)
Hamon
:
The crystalline structure which forms along the cutt
