S132. Wakizashi signed Hizen no Kuni Tadayoshi.

Nagasa: 18 9/16″ 47.2 cm.

Sori: 1.2 cm.

Moto haba: 2.9 cm.

Moto kasane: .6 cm.

Saki haba: 2.3 cm.

Saki kasane: .4 cm.

Nakago nagasa: 6 1/16″ 15.5 cm.

Overall length in shira-saya: 28″ 71 cm.

Overall of koshirae: 27 1/2″ 69.5 cm.

Ubu, one hole, shinogi zukuri, iore mune, and chu-kissaki. There is a bright and flawless ko-itame hada. The hamon is suguba, a consistent nioi guchi lined in fine ko-nie, ending in an o-maru boshi with a medium long kaeri. There are subtle hataraki in the yakiba, especially in the mono uchi. The blade is in perfect polish (very good quality) and mounted with a gold wash habaki (nicely carved) in very well made shira-saya (also flawless). The sword comes with an NTHK paper, dated 1989, giving it to Godai (5th generation Hizen Tadayoshi).

The koshirae also are papered, again NTHK and dated 1993. The saya is black lacquer with what appears to be coral chips embedded. The lacquer is 99+% intact (you have to look hard to find some minor defect). The koiguchi and kurikata are horn. The fuchi/kashira and menuki are, I think, Soten School and in great condition. The same’ is good quality and the tsuka-ito is perfectly intact. There is a kotsuka, again Soten style, with a signed kogatana which is missing 2 mm of its tip.

The previous owner had seen this sword & koshirae at a show. After the show he contacted the dealer, arranged the purchase, and asked the dealer to submit the koshirae to shinsa. In the mean time, however, the dealer had swapped out the tsuba and replaced it with a modern replica and the paper on the koshirae says so. The owner has replaced the modern tsuba with a very fine one of a Ho Bird in iron and gold, signed Bushu Ju Masakata. Both tsubas will be included with this sword.

All in all a very nice set. Godai Tadayoshi isn’t one of the expensive members of the family but this sword is very well made and in great condition: a lot to appreciate. 2 pounds, 12 ounces. Now $4,050.