Wakizashi by the famous JoJo Saku maker Hizen Tadahiro. Omi daijo Tadahiro was very famous for his work in suguha. The classic straight temperline gave the Hizen School a nice reputation for sharpness as well. Because they were modeled after the blades of the Yamashiro Rai School, especially Rai Kunimitsu, sometimes the skin of the steel is thin showing shingane that is called “Rai Hada” when seen in Rai blades. This wakizashi has that area of shingane showing, but fortunately it does not need a polish, and one whole side is perfect showing the beautiful nashiji hada that the Hizen School was famous for making. The hamon is a perfect nie deki suguha with a thick nioi guchi. The boshi is the famous “Hizen” boshi seen in textbooks as a classic example of the school. This is a long wakizashi, and one can see how formidable this blade is and one can almost feel its sharpness just by holding the blade in hand. Tang is ubu 1 hole and currently has a paper from the group headed by Murakami sensei back in the 70’s. Signature guaranteed to paper to NBTHK Hozon if sent through us, I can have the oshigata looked at while I am there.) In a nice shirasaya with a silver habaki. Owned by an old collector in California. Usually Tadahiro start at $6000 and up, but this is a special situation and a chance at a price. |
