Here for sale is a wakizashi by the 3rd Generation Tadayoshi, known as "Mutsu Tadayoshi" with NBTHK papers.
To be able to see and hold a sword by this master smith is a highly
rare occurance for a sword collector, but the opportunity to own one is
quite literally a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Here is an excerpt from Roger Robertshaws website www.hizento.net
Roger is an expert on Hizen Tadayoshi swords.
MUTSU NO KAMI TADAYOSHI:
Born. 1637 in Saga, Hizen
Died. 2 Jan 1686
Aged. 50
Name. Hashimoto Shinsaburo [Mutsu (no) Kami Tadayoshi]
Father Omi Daijo Tadahiro (2nd Gen. Tadayoshi)
Hashimoto Shinsaburo was born in 1637 to Omi Daijo Tadahiro, however he
died at the relatively young age of 50 years on 2 Jan 1686. Although he
was the rightful heir to the Tadayoshi School, his father outlived him
by some 7 years, and he therefore never became true head of The School,
although he was to become known as Sandai Tadayoshi (3rd gen.). His
father the Nidai, Shodai Masahiro and other sensei taught him well, for
it is said that he made the finest jitetsu of all the Tadayoshi, and
reportedly destroyed blades that he was not satisfied with. His work is
rated along with Tadayoshi 1st as Saijo-O-Wazamono (supreme sharpness),
and he must have had a close relationship with Masahiro 1st, because he
also forged gassaku with him as well as his father the Nidai. Due to
his relatively short working life (1660-1686), and his attention to the
finest detail, his individual works are rare and valuable. He made most
of the outstanding dai-saku-mei works for his father. There are
therefore many gimei 3rd gen. swords in existence and one should be
very careful.
Sandai Tadayoshi first signed "Tadayoshi" around 1660, received the
title Mutsu Daijo on 27 Oct 1660 and then signed "Mutsu Daijo
Tadayoshi", and "Mutsu Daijo Fujiwara Tadayoshi". The use of Fujiwara
is rare. So good was his ability that less than a year after he began
signing Mutsu Daijo he received the title Mutsu (no) Kami on 16 Aug
1661. Most of his own blades were therefore signed using "Mutsu (no)
Kami" and are easily recognizable, so he subsequently became known as
"Mutsu (no) Kami Tadayoshi". He later signed Goji mei "Hizen Kuni
Tadayoshi", and some of these swords have been mistaken for works by
the Shodai. Dated swords are especially rare which make it somewhat
difficult to accurately date his mei. I have only ever seen one "Mutsu
Daijo Fujiwara Tadayoshi" oshigata.
Here is more information from Fujishiro's Shinto Hen about Mutsu Tadayoshi:
He is the chakushi of the nidai Tadahiro, is
the sandai Tadayoshi, and is called Shinsaburô.
He received the title of Mutsu no Daijô in Manji Sannen (1660) Jûgatsu, and this was
changed to Mutsu no Kami in Kanbun Gannen Hachigatsu. He died on Jôkyô Sannen (1686) Shôgatsu
Futsuka (1/2). I wonder if the motive for
the assumption of this Tadayoshi name was due to the "Return of the
Tadayoshi name" of Tosa no Kami Tadayoshi.
His works are ordinary chû-suguba, and not much of a mixture of
suichigai ha is seen. The ko-maru bôshi
has a deeper (return) than that of the first and nidais. Also, there is nioi shimari ko-choji ashi
iri, and there are gassaku with his father with a wide yakihaba. (Saijô Owazamono)
- Rated a MASSIVE ¥10M, Jojo saku, Sai-jo Owazamono, Tokebetsu-juyo - All top ratings!
- Usually would cost US$12,500+ for a wakizashi by this smith, but I have greatly reduced the price due to the imperfections.
- Straight temper pattern (suguha)
- Stunning steel grain (konuka hada)
- Signed tang: Mutsu kami Tadayoshi
- Very good condition but with mune-wari, one umegane, some loose steel; no fatal flaws (see photos)
- Comes in a wooden scabbard (shirasaya) and purple sword bag
Shipping:
I will ship to anywhere in the world.
The cost is $60 worldwide for Express Mail (EMS Courier) - fast delivery and online tracking.
The other option is Registered Post International for $45 - this doesn't have online tracking but it is a very safe and reliable service.
Postage within Australia will be $15.
Insurance is extra and will depend on the final sale price.
Payment is to be made within 7 days of auction end.
Please see my return policy below.
Make sure you ask any questions or ask for more photos if you are unsure about anything.
On Nov-28-08 at 15:32:40 PST, seller added the following information: Here
are the measurement of this blade:
Total length: 52.5cm / 20.67”
Nagasa: 39.5cm / 15.55”
Motohaba: 3cm / 1.18”
Sakihaba: 2.25cm / 0.89”
Motokasane: 0.55cm / 0.22”
Sakikasane: 0.4cm / 0.16”
Sori: 0.51cm / 0.2”
Comes with NBTHK papers and a silk sword
bag.
On Nov-29-08 at 23:41:41 PST, seller added the following information: Zero Feedback eBay Members *MUST* Contact Me Before Bidding.
If You Do Not, I Will Cancel Your Bid.