Hizen Katana Signed “Hizen kuni Saga Ju Masahiro”, circa 1640 NBTH Juyō Tōken

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About the Item

Hizen Katana Signed “Hizen kuni Saga Ju Masahiro” ???????? Edo period, circa 1640 NBTHK Juyo Token MISURES Nagasa [lenght]: 70.2 cm? Motohaba: 2.8 cm, sakihaba: 2 cm Kasane [thickness]: 5.8 mm ?Sori [curvature]: 1.82 cm Sugata [configuration] Shinogi-zukuri, koshi-zori, iori-mune, elongated chu-kissaki (3.6 cm) Kitae [forging pattern]: Ko-itame hada with thick jinie and chikei ?Hamon [tempering pattern]: Nie-deki gunome and o-gunome midare mixed to choji midare, the thick nioiguchi shows sunagashi, kinsuji, yo and ashi. Boshi [point] Round at the end with hakikake kaeri Horimono [carvings] Bo-hi ni soe-bi. Large koshi-bi on ura side. ?Nakago [tang]: Ubu, iriyamagata-jiri, o-sujikai yasurime; one mekugi-ana, mei: “Hizen Koku Saga Ju Fujiwara Masahiro” Origami [papers] The blade comes with a Juyo token (Important sword) certificate issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (Session nr. 25) Sayagaki: written by Kanzan sensei: Hizen Saga Ju Fujiwara Masahiro This blade was made early and it is assigned to the first generation, around Kanei 16 or 17 Gunome Midare and Choji Midare Blade length is 2 shaku 3 sun 2 bu. Kanzan Sato [+ kao] Koshirae [mount] The sword is accompanied by an antique koshirae with high level fittings. The Hizen school was one of the glorious successes of the Shinto period. It was founded by Tadayoshi, under the sponsorship of the daimyo Nabeshima Naoshige. The Tadayoshi style is based on the work of Yamashiro Rai, and swiftly gained and maintained a reputation for high quality swords, both beautiful and practical with excellent cutting ability. Born in 1607, Hashimoto Sadenji, was grandson of Tadayoshi. He is recorded to sign his early works with the art name “Masanaga”, but there are none existing and he was probably signing more often with his master’s name Tadayoshi (who had changed his name to Tadahiro) according to the dai-mei tradition. Masahiro is considered the best smith among all waki-Hizen schools, those who were not in the direct lineage of Tadayoshi. In 1624 he made a sword in front of the feudal lord Nabeshima Katsushige (Hizen) who granted the smith name “Masahiro”, the possibility to sign with his own name and to start his own lineage, with a stipend of 20 koku which could support 20 people. In 1628 Masahiro is documented to be entitled to use the title “Kawachi Daijo” but it seems that for some reasons he chose not to use it in his signature until 1641. It is important to note that the daimyo Nabeshima engaged Masahiro directly, due to his superior ability. Even if the main style of the Hashimoto family was based on suguha hamon, Masahiro shodai worked mainly in midare, as seen on this blade. The reason might be that the daimyo Nabeshima, who commissioned the work, was very fond of Soshu Go’s style, who used a midareba with strong nie. His style might look similar to Tadahiro shodai, but Masahiro is more flamboyant, with strong nie which form sunagashi and kinsuji, especially on early blades like the present one. Another feature of early works is the hakikake boshi and in fact Kanzan sensei dated this katana at 1639-1640. Masahiro was one of the best sword-smiths of the Shinto period and he is rated “Jo Saku” by Fujishiro. He died in 1665 at the age of 59 and his name had been used by his descendants for ten generations until the end of the Edo period. This katana gives a very strong impression, with a wide blade and a flamboyant hamon rich of activities. It clearly shows the best characteristics of Masahiro and is an important work. Being appointed as “Juyo Token” already in 1977 is a clear sign of how soon it has been recognized as a masterpiece.

Dimensions:
Height: 27.64 in (70.2 cm)Width: 0.23 in (5.8 mm)Depth: 1.11 in (2.8 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Iron
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
1640-1649
Date of Manufacture:
1640
Condition:
Seller Location:
Milano, IT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4250220442342

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