Weight: 512g (excluding saya) It has arrived, it has arrived—a wakizashi that appears to be the work of an Echizen swordsmith from the old, old Edo period, around the Kanbun era (1661) (365 years ago). The representative smiths of Echizen Shinto produced many masters such as Echizen Yasutsugu, Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu, and so on. This wakizashi is mumei, but it displays the Kanbun Shinto sugata with a shallow sori and chu-kissaki. As you can see, the ji is currently not clearly visible, but it appears to be forged in ko-itame hada. The horimono features a design of bamboo (take no zu) carved on the omote. The hamon is a crisp, nioi-deki suguru-cho (straight) blade. The long years of the Sengoku period had settled, and the world was enjoying peace; however, in the kenjutsu dojo, shinai kendo became extremely popular. Thrusting techniques (tsuki-waza) in particular were very much in fashion, leading to the creation of Kanbun Shinto sugata works like this wakizashi, which has a shallow sori suitable for thrusting. This wakizashi is further enhanced by a koshirae with an Edo-period kawari-nuri saya. This time, we received this wakizashi from a high-ranking teacher of Iai-do, who had originally received it from the teacher who instructed him when he was a beginner. He mentioned, "I have grown old myself, so if there is someone among the younger generation for whom this would be useful, please pass it on at a low price." Because of this, and because the ji and ha are currently difficult to discern as you can see, we are offering it at a special, bargain price. Please enjoy this wakizashi with koshirae, which appears to be an old Echizen Shinto work from the Edo period.
NihontoWatch
Yamashiro-den · Sanuki · around 1312-1317
3 pieces on the market now
Shodai Echizen Yasutsugu was born in Shimosaka-gō, Sakata District, Ōmi Province, where he styled himself Shimosaka Ichizaemon. He later moved to Echizen and entered the service of Yūki Hideyasu. In his early phase he signed "Higo Daijō Shimosaka," but between Keichō 10 and 11 (1605–1606) he was summoned to Edo, where he forged swords in the presence of both shoguns Ieyasu and Hidetada. In recognition of this distinction, he was granted the hollyhock crest (aoi-mon) and the character yasu, after which he adopted the name Yasutsugu. This direct patronage by the Tokugawa house placed him among the most politically elevated smiths of the early shintō period.
His forging is characteristically dense itame-hada mixed with mokume, exhibiting extremely fine ji-nie and well-entering chikei; overall the steel tends toward a dark tone, producing what is termed Echizen-gane. His hamon is typically based on a medium suguha or shallow notare, accompanied by linked ko-gunome; ko-ashi enter well, nie adheres thickly, and fine kinsuji and sunagashi appear in places. The nioiguchi frequently shows a shizumi tendency, lending a deep, savoury quality. His bōshi commonly rises in a suguha tone with a pointed tip in a Jizō-like manner, with vigorous hakikake and a long turnback. Notably, his finest works display a tightly forged ko-itame of excellent quality with a bright nioiguchi, departing from the more usual standing grain. His horimono are deeply cut and forceful, rendered in characteristic kinai-bori, with triad compositions of Fudō Myōō with the two dōji attendants appearing as a signature motif.
Shodai Yasutsugu occupies a foundational position in the Echizen tradition and among the official smiths of the Tokugawa shogunate. His works combine the powerful, dignified sugata of the Keichō era — wide mihaba, thick kasane, and elongated proportions — with a subdued depth of nie and surface activity that rewards close appreciation. His distinctive steel quality, intentional variation of tempering patterns, and superb sculptural carving together distinguish him as one of the preeminent smiths of early shintō swordmaking.
Where Echizen stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
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Yamashiro-den · Echizen
5 pieces on the market now
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Echizen越前 | 1312-1317 | 1 |
The Edo period (1615 to 1868)
Under the Tokugawa peace the daishō became a regulated uniform, and demand gathered in the castle towns, above all Edo itself. The craft split two ways: brilliant display work for connoisseurs, and tested blades whose cutting results were sometimes inlaid in gold.
We could not find an authenticity certificate on the seller’s listing. Japanese swords and fittings are normally papered by the NBTHK (or the NTHK). Without one, the attribution is the seller’s own assessment and has not been independently verified — treat it with caution and ask the dealer about certification before buying.
For returns due to customer circumstances, the cost is the customer's responsibility. For returns due to our mis-shipment or a defective item, we bear the cost.
