Item #649

Shinto katana in full Edo-Period mount of good length measuring almost 28" was once even longer, now suriage partial-zaimei reading "Tajima Daijo Fujiwara Daido..." and cut-off. The two characters missing due to shortening should read "NAOFUSA". This strong, very healthy katana dates to the Kanei Era (ca.1624), and Naofusa was originally from Mino, where the name Daido originated from O-Kanemichi, but is said to have later resided in Tango Kuni. He was known to be a skilled carver of horimono. This blade is in good polish and exhibits the Mino tradition of the Shinto Period with a tight ko-itame hada containing ji-nie, while masame is very visible in the shinogi. The temper pattern is unusual in that not only is there hamon in the cutting edge, but there is temper running all the way back down the mune from the point. Hamon is a tight togari-style gunome midare mainly in nioi line but with larger nie crystals breaking up the tops of some gunome, and sunagashi effects. Boshi is a healthy and deep midare with nie, beautiful kissaki. Tang is 2-hole well-done suriage with partial signature remaining.
This sword comes in a complete period mounting with two-tone solid ishime saya, visibly split at the mouth and having small losses. Mostly intact leather wrap over black-lacquered same on the handle, with dragon menuki and a signed iron fuchi kashira with katakiri carving of Hotei. Tsuba is iron mokko shape with rounded-square rim and pierced with holes (udenake-ana). Saya is completely restorable. Signature guaranteed to pass NBTHK Hozon if sent through us