20/04/2024
▪️Katana attributed to the first-gen Tadayoshi
Hello, world! Thank you for checking our daily post. Today, We are excited to show you another newly acquired antique Katana.
This blade is attributed to Hizen the first-gen Tadayoshi (肥前初代忠吉). Hizen is the province’s name in today’s Saga prefecture on Kyushu island. The first-gen Tadayoshi is considered one of the most renowned swordsmiths during the early Edo period. Also, the maker’s name, Tadayoshi, lasted many generations throughout the Edo period.
He was born in the third year of the Genki era (1572: Late Muromachi period) as the son of Hashimoto Michihiro. Tadayoshi’s birthname was Hashimoto Shinzaemon. It is said that Hashimoto family had Samurai lineage and served Ryuzoji Daimyo (feudal lord) as a retainer for generations on Kyushu island. However, in 1584, his grandfather Morihiro and Father Michihiro were killed in a war called Okinawa-te no Tatakai, where Ryuzoji clan fought against Shimazu clan. Therefore, Hashimoto family couldn’t keep serving the clan and status of Samurai because Tadayoshi, the head of the family, was just 13 years old.
The whole family turned the new leaf. Tadayoshi was supported by Dotanuki Zenbei, who was related to Tadayoshi and had served Kato Kiyomasa, a legendary warlord during Sengoku Jidai (Warring state period). It is said that he learned sword-forging techniques from Zenbei for about 13 years.
In 1596, under the domain’s order, he went to Kyoto to learn the sword-forging techniques from Umetada Myojyu(埋忠明寿), one of the greatest swordsmiths in the early Edo period. Tadayoshi improved his craftsmanship and returned to the Saga domain three years later (1598). The first head of the Nabeshima clan, Nabeshima Katsushige, appreciated the work of the first-gen Tadayoshi very much. Then, Katsushige appointed him as his Okakaekaji, a swordsmith who exclusively forged swords for a specific domain or clan. And Tadayoshi started to stay near Saga castle, which was the headquarter of the Nabeshima clan. Then, he founded his school, which trained more than 100 swordsmiths during the Edo period. His outstanding skills were passed to the generations of Tadayoshi and among apprentices.
More information is available from the link below.
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-japanese-sword-katana-attributed-to-the-first-gen-tadayoshi-nbthk-hozon-certificate/
