Hizen Kuni Ju Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi — Katana
Hizen Tadayoshi (Third Generation)
Smith: Hizen Kuni Ju Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi
Signed: Hizen Kuni Ju Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi (肥前国住陸奥守忠吉)
Shintō — Edo period, c. 1660s (Manji era)
Measurements
Nagasa
69.4 cm (27.32 in)
Sori
1.4 cm (0.55 in)
Motohaba
2.99 cm (1.18 in)
Sakihaba
2.11 cm (0.83 in)
Kasane
0.71 cm (0.28 in)
Blade Characteristics
Hamon
Bright chōji-midare mixed with gunome-midare, Ichimonji-style with soft nioiguchi; ha activity (ha-leaves) visible
Hada
Outstanding Hizen ko-itame forging with clear utsuri
Bōshi
Midare-komi
Nakago Notes
Slightly shortened (suriage) but signature remains completely intact; 3 mekugi-ana
Mountings & Fittings
Koshirae Notes
Stored in shirasaya; gold foil single-layer habaki
Papers & Documentation
Appraisal Status
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
NBTHK / NTHK Notes
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token; ranked Jōjō Saku, Saijō Ō-wazamono. Aoi Art estimation paper with whole oshigata.
Provenance
Listed by Aoi Art (aoijapan.com), Ordering No. 23288
About This Object
A Shintō katana by the third-generation Hizen Tadayoshi, renowned for the exceptional beauty of his jigane. Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi was the legitimate son of Omi Daijō Tadahiro and produced relatively few blades, making his signed works highly sought after. The Ichimonji-style chōji-midare hamon showcases the master craftsmanship of the Hizen tradition.