Hizen Kuni Omi Daijo Kami Tadayoshi (5th Gen)　Katana
肥前国近江守忠吉 刀
Item TK020

  • Period: Shinto Period

  • Mei (Signature): 肥前国近守忠吉

  • Designation: Tokubetsu Hozon

  • Nakago - Ubu - One Mekugi-Ana

  • Nagasa - 74.5cm

  • Sori: - 1.5cm

  • Motohaba - 3.1cm

  • Sakihaba - 2cm

  • Kissaki - 3.5cm

  • Motokasane - 0.8cm

  • Nakago - 21cm

Price: ¥ 1,500,000

ORDER

Godai Tadayoshi (五代忠吉)

The 5th Generation Tadayoshi (五代忠吉), also known as Omi no Kami Tadayoshi (近江守忠吉), was born in 1696 as the eldest son of the 4th generation Omi Daijo Tadayoshi (近江大掾忠吉). He began his career around 1716, initially signing “Hizen Kuni Tadahiro” (肥前国忠廣) while his father was still active, and is known to have also signed dai-mei on his father’s behalf in later years.

Following the death of his father in 1747, he changed his signature to “Hizen Kuni Tadayoshi” (肥前国忠吉). In 1750, he received the honorary title “Omi no Kami” (近江守), after which he began signing “Hizen Kuni Omi no Kami Tadayoshi” (肥前国近江守忠吉) — the exact mei found on this blade. He continued working until his passing in 1775, at the age of 80.

The 5th generation marks the end of the Shinto-era Tadayoshi lineage, before the school transitioned into the Shinshinto period with the 6th generation. His works are notable for maintaining the elegant and refined Hizen-to characteristics established by the first generation, including a beautifully forged ko-itame hada with a soft, uniform jihada.

As with other smiths of the Hizen Tadayoshi school, he worked under the Nabeshima clan of Hizen Province (modern-day Saga), renowned for their technical excellence and access to high-quality steel.

This blade features a typical Hizen school sugata, with a moderate curvature and a wide mihaba, giving it a balanced yet powerful appearance. A notable point of this particular piece is its remarkable thickness at the kasane, creating a strong sense of solidity and strength.

The jigane is the classic bright konuka-hada for which the Hizen school is celebrated, displaying a fine, well-grained steel surface of exceptional quality. The hamon is a bold and wide gunome Choji-midare.  Plenty of Ashi can be seen within the Hamon.

The sword comes with shirasaya and silver-foil habaki.