Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade was signed in May, the 8th year of Enpo era (延宝八年, 1680) by Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro (近江守藤原継広), who was a swordsmith of the Echizen Shimosaka school, especially active from around the Kanbun era (1661–1673). Though originally based in Echizen Province (modern-day Fukui Prefecture), he also worked in Edo (Tokyo) and Omi province (today’s Shiga prefecture), reflecting his broad appeal and high demand among samurai clientele. He was known as an apprentice of the third-gen Echizen Yasutsugu, who was the head of Ezhizen Shimosaka school. He received an honorable official title of Omi no Kami in his career. Kami is an honorable official title given by the imperial court for one’s excellent craftsmanship. Shimosaka school It is said that the first-gen Yasutsugu was the founder of the Echizen Shimoasaka school. He was born in Shimosaka town in Shiga prefecture at the end of the Muromachi period(Late 16 century ). He built his career there until the beginning of the Keicho era(1596). However, he moved to Echizen province due to the relocation of the lord he served. He eventually was noticed and supported by Matsudaira Hideyasu, the third son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was the founder of the Edo government. Hideysu was the feudal lord of Echizen province during the early Edo period. With the support of Hideyasu, the first-gen Yasutsugu was able to establish the Echizen Shimosaka school. And his school’s fame became nationwide. By Hideyasu’s recommendation, the first-gen Yasutsugu became Okakaekaji for the Tokugawa shogun family, meaning that he exclusively forged swords for the Shogun family. Yasutsu was acknowledged by the first and second Tokugawa Shoguns, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Tokugawa Hidetada. The first-gen Yasutsugu received 康(YASU) from Tokugawa Ieyasu and changed his maker’s name. He was also allowed to inscribe the holly oak symbol(family crest of Tokugawa) on the tang. The school flourished during the Edo period and trained many skilled apprentices. Third-gen Yasutsugu, the master of Tsuguhiro, was a successor of the first-gen. 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. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa) : 58.9 cm (19.5 inches) Curvature (Sori) : 0.2 cm (0.07 inches) Hamon : The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process. Jimon(Jihada) : visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process Kissaki : Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword. Nakago : Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword. Japanese swordsmiths left the black rust on the tang because it prevents red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, and it is a great indicator for a Japanese sword specialist to estimate when the sword was forged. Koshirae : Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya (Scabbard), Tsuka (Handle), Tsuba (Handguard). Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. This Fuchi-kashira features a sansui-ga (landscape painting) motif, within which a lone fisherman is depicted. In traditional East Asian landscape art, fishermen frequently appear as symbolic figures admired by scholars and literati. They represent various ideals: freedom from worldly constraints, as inspired by the ancient Chinese poem Fisherman’s Song (漁夫辞, Gyofu-shi); hidden talent or sage-like wisdom, drawing from

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade was signed in May, the 8th year of Enpo era (延宝八年, 1680) by Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro (近江守藤原継広), who was a swordsmith of the Echizen Shimosaka school, especially active from around the Kanbun era (1661–1673). Though originally based in Echizen Province (modern-day Fukui Prefecture), he also worked in Edo (Tokyo) and Omi province (today’s Shiga prefecture), reflecting his broad appeal and high demand among samurai clientele. He was known as an apprentice of the third-gen Echizen Yasutsugu, who was the head of Ezhizen Shimosaka school. He received an honorable official title of Omi no Kami in his career. Kami is an honorable official title given by the imperial court for one’s excellent craftsmanship. Shimosaka school It is said that the first-gen Yasutsugu was the founder of the Echizen Shimoasaka school. He was born in Shimosaka town in Shiga prefecture at the end of the Muromachi period(Late 16 century ). He built his career there until the beginning of the Keicho era(1596). However, he moved to Echizen province due to the relocation of the lord he served. He eventually was noticed and supported by Matsudaira Hideyasu, the third son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was the founder of the Edo government. Hideysu was the feudal lord of Echizen province during the early Edo period. With the support of Hideyasu, the first-gen Yasutsugu was able to establish the Echizen Shimosaka school. And his school’s fame became nationwide. By Hideyasu’s recommendation, the first-gen Yasutsugu became Okakaekaji for the Tokugawa shogun family, meaning that he exclusively forged swords for the Shogun family. Yasutsu was acknowledged by the first and second Tokugawa Shoguns, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Tokugawa Hidetada. The first-gen Yasutsugu received 康(YASU) from Tokugawa Ieyasu and changed his maker’s name. He was also allowed to inscribe the holly oak symbol(family crest of Tokugawa) on the tang. The school flourished during the Edo period and trained many skilled apprentices. Third-gen Yasutsugu, the master of Tsuguhiro, was a successor of the first-gen. 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. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa) : 58.9 cm (19.5 inches) Curvature (Sori) : 0.2 cm (0.07 inches) Hamon : The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process. Jimon(Jihada) : visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process Kissaki : Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword. Nakago : Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword. Japanese swordsmiths left the black rust on the tang because it prevents red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, and it is a great indicator for a Japanese sword specialist to estimate when the sword was forged. Koshirae : Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya (Scabbard), Tsuka (Handle), Tsuba (Handguard). Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. This Fuchi-kashira features a sansui-ga (landscape painting) motif, within which a lone fisherman is depicted. In traditional East Asian landscape art, fishermen frequently appear as symbolic figures admired by scholars and literati. They represent various ideals: freedom from worldly constraints, as inspired by the ancient Chinese poem Fisherman’s Song (漁夫辞, Gyofu-shi); hidden talent or sage-like wisdom, drawing from