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© Copyright Robert Cole 2015 - No copying or distributing Hizen Tadayoshi Den












HIZEN - SHINTO     APPRAISAL GROUP: ECHIZEN - MUSASHI
  One  of the  five greatest SHINTO smiths  was  HIZEN TADAYOSHI.
The  HIZEN style  stands out  and is easily  recognized.  Elegant
SHINTO SUGATA,  strong-grain gray steel,  CHU-SUGUHA in NIE,  and ŤHIZEN NAKAGO.

           SUGATA - SHINTO SUGATA. Always well shaped
                    with a certain refined strength or 
                    broadness to the  blade.
             HADA - Tight, pronounced KO-MOKUME JI-HADA. Some
                    O-MOKUME in early pieces. Medium-light
                    blue-gray to light gray-blackish steel.
                    Thin skinned. Dark core-patches may be seen.
                    There will be JI-NIE.
            HAMON - HIRO or CHU-SUGUHA in well-formed and fine 
                    KO-NIE. There were NOTARE O-GUNOME, O-MIDARE
                    GUNOME, and CHOJI-MIDARE patterns but the
                    HIRO or CHU-SUGUHA is a school mark.
                    SUNAGASHI and ASHI. KINSUJI and INAZUMA.
            BOSHI - SUGU with MARU KAERI. An even width of YAKIBA.
                    Often swords with an active HAMON will have
                    the activity repeated in the BOSHI with a
                    TOGARI and medium turnback. Some HAKIKAKE.
           NAKAGO - Long, with a graceful appearance.
                    Like the blades, a certain fullness
                    to the planes. The shape is not
                    stark or imposing. JIRI is either
                    KENGYO or KURI with YASURI in the
                    main smith lines being a YOKO or
                    a particular KATEAGARI.

  Both HAMON and JI-HADA will be uniform and well-executed.


HIZEN Tree - SHINTO and SHIN-SHINTO

TADAYOSHI - YAMASHIRO - MUNENAGA
      |  (1)  KEI-CHO 1596                       |_____________________________________________
      |_________ _____ _____________ __________ _____ _________ __________                      |
___|_______    |  ____|_______    ____|________     |  ____|_______   |               ___|_______       |
TADAHIRO   |  TADAYOSHI   MUNETSUGU    |  YOSHISADA   |               TADAKIYO      |
___|________  |____ ____________                   ___|_______     _____|_____     ___|_______       |
TADAYOSHI  ____|________  ___|_______     HIROSADA    YOSHIFUSA   TADAKIYO     |
___|________   YOSHINOBU  HIRONORI           |___________                       ___|________    |
TADAYOSHI          |____________                    ___|_______   ___|_______       TADAMUNE    |
___|________   ____|______    ____|_______     TADAKUNI   KUNIHIRO               _________|
TADAYOSHI  YUKIHIRO     MASAHIRO    ___|_______    ___|_______      ____|________
___|________   ____|______     ___|_______     TADAKUNI   KANEHIRO      YOSHINAGA
TADAYOSHI  YUKIHIRO     MASAHIRO                                                        ____|______
      |_____________                   ___|________                                                       TADANAGA
___|________   ____|_______   MASANAGA        TADAYOSHI (1)
TADAYOSHI   MASAHIRO                                  First made MIDARE.  Mid-period:
      |______________                                                signed  "JU-NIN"   and  refined
___|________    ____|_______                                 the  style to SUGU or  stronger

TADAYOSHI   YOSHIKANE                                KO-MIDARE with ASHI and HOTSURE

TADAYOSHI(1) KEICHO (f: NAGASE HASHIMOTO MICHIHIRO): 
HASHIMOTO SHINZAEMON. SAGA JU NAGASE School.
Under NABESHIMA NAOSHIGE, DAIMYO of HIZEN.
Studied under UMETADA MYOJU from the beginning
of the KEICHO. He returned to HIZEN in 1598 to
work at the Castle in SAGA.
He received MUSASHI DAIJO in GENWA JUNEN, 1624.
TADAYOSHI died on KANEI KUNEN HACHI GATSU JUGO,
1632, 8TH month, 15th day, age, 61.
Beginning work will be standing HADA with HAMON
in AOI style, NAGAYOSHI style or SHIZU style
and can be mistaken for such old style works.
By KEICHO JUNIN 1605, we see the HIZENTO style
emerge with KO-NUKA rice-bran HADA AND KO-NIE
DEKI CHU-SUGUHA HAMON. Also, of course, NOTARE
and GUNOME-CHOJI MIDARE BA, all settled into a
HIZEN arch-type. He sought and attained a
perfection and grace in the conservative SUGUHA.
His HAMON may have a gentle or subtle
ASAKI-NOTARE undulation. HABUCHI can be
KUICHIGAI HATARAKI and NIJUBA.
His NOTARE may seem set in groups of four or
five. HAMON will show a strength or emphasis to
upper. Simple signatures will tend to be early.

TADAYOSHI
HI TADAYOSHI
HIZENnoKUNI TADAYOSHI
HIZENnoKUNI JU TADAYOSHI
HIZENnoKUNI JUNIN TADAYOSHI HIZENnoKUNI JUNIN MINAMOTO TADAYOSHI
HISHU JU TADAYOSHI KORE UMETADA MYOJU DESHI
HIZENnoKUNI HASHIMOTO SHINZAEMONnoJO TADAYOSHI SAKU
HIZENnoKUNI SAGA JU HASHIMOTO SHINZAEMONnoJO TADAYOSHI SAKU
HIZENnoKUNI FUJIWARA TADAHIRO
MUSASHI DAIJO FUJIWARA TADAHIRO
HIZENnoKUNI JU MUSASHI DAIJO FUJIWARA TADAHIRO


See Tadayoshi
 

TADAHIRO(2) His father, TADAYOSHI(1) was 52 at the 
birth of his son in 1613. SHODAI TADAYOSHI is
called the first TADAHIRO, taking that MEI when
his son was just 10, right at the beginning of
KAN-EI 1624. 9 years later, the son inherits
with the death of his father, HASHIMOTO
SHINZAEMON, then signing, “MUSASHI DAIJO
TADAHIRO”, who has been signing as both, 1st
TADAYOSHI and 1st TADAHIRO. His 19 year old
son, and therefore 2nd generation TADAYOSHI,
took the late signature, TADAHIRO and is known
as the 2nd generation of this HIZEN TADAYOSHI
line.
He is the 2nd TADAHIRO and has weathered the
flood of confusion from having been labeled
the 1st and 2nd true TADAHIRO and 2nd TADAYOSHI,
all true!

HIROSHIGE KAN-EI (t: TADAYOSHI): SABANOSUKE. Made
KO-NIE DEKI GUNOME CHOJI-MIDARE BA.
HIZEN-no-KUNI HIROSHIGE
HIZEN-no-KUNI JU HIROSHIGE



Tadayoshi Ura-Mei
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 2 Sun 2 Bu (69.27cm)
Moto-Haba: 9 Bu 8 Rin (2.97cm)
Nakago: 5 Sun 7 Bu (17.27cm)

Okuda Oki Family Possession
Classic example of Tadayoshi Sugata. Ko-Itame and Chu-Suguha.
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, shallow Sori broad elongated Chu-Kissaki.
A perfect carpet of Ko-Itame with Mokume Hada has Ji-Nie and Chikei.
Gentle Asaki-Notare Chu-Suguha hides Ko-Gunome of Ko-Ashi with Kinsuji and Sunagashi.
Chu-Suguha Ko-Maru Boshi.
Ubu Kurijiri Nakago with one Mekugi-ana.
    Hizen-no-Kuni Tadayoshi





Tadayoshi
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 3 Sun 1 Bu (70.1cm)
Moto-Haba: 9 Bu 8 Rin (2.97cm)
Nakago: 6 Sun 8 Bu (20.6cm)


Ise Torahiko Family Possession See in Bijustukan
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, deeply curved, wide Ji, elongated Chu-Kissaki.
Bo-Hi-ni-Sobi.

Ko-Itame Hada with Masame along the Ha. There is Ji-Nie and some Chikei.
Hoso-Suguha that becomes Nijuba and KuichigaiBa is seen. Ko-Nie, Hakikake and Ko-Ashi. 
Sugu Ko-Maru Omote Boshi, Ura is O-maru..
Ubu Nakago with shallow Kurijiri has two Mekugi-ana.
Hizen-no-Kuni Tadayoshi
Keicho Rokunen Hachi Gatsu Kichi Nichi
























Tadayoshi Dambira
Nagasa: 1 Shaku 3 Sun 1 Bu (39.7cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun (3.03cm)
Nakago: 3 Sun 9 Bu (16.06cm)


Ueki Masatome Family Possession.
Hira-tsukuri, Mitsu-Mune, wide
Omote: ToHi Hata Flag on Futatsu Hi with Rendai.
Ura: To-Hi.
Ko-Itame Hada has Ji-Nie.
Upper: Rippling N Otare of Ko-Gunome Togari Ba with Tobi-Yaki.
Lower: Asaki-Notare with Ko-Gunome.  In tight Nioi and Kinsuji.

Sunagashi attends throughout.
Midare-Komi Boshi with Maru Kaeri.

Ubu
Kurijiri Nakago with two Mekugi-ana.
   Hizen-no-Kuni Tadayoshi

  Keicho Rokunen Hachi Gatsu Kichi Nichi




























Tokyo National Museum

Tadayoshi Ura-Mei
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 3 Sun 4 Bu 5 Rin (71.1cm)
Tokyo National Museum
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, shallow Sori, elongated Chu-Kissaki.
Ko-Itame with Mokume mixed has Ji-Nie and Chikei.
Asaki-Notare of Chu-Suguha holds Ko-Gunome Ko-Ashi with Kinsuji and Sunagashi.
Chu-Sugu Ko-Maru Boshi.
Ubu Kurijiri Nakago with two Mekugi-ana.
    Hizen-no-Kuni Tadayoshi
Namu Kanzaemon Bosatsu























Tadayoshi Tanto
Nagasa: 9 Sun 1 Bu (27.72cm)
Moto-Haba: 9 Bu 2 Rin (2.48cm)
Nakago: 3 Sun 9 Bu 5 Rin (11.88cm)

Okano Taromatsu Family Possession

Hira-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, Uchizori.
Ko-Itame Hada with Ji-Nie and Chikei.
Omote: Suken.
Ura: Gomabashi
Chu-Suguha in even Nioi and Ko-Nie.
Slightly Saagari Ko-maru Boshi.
Ubu Kurijiri Nakago with one Mekugi-ana.
    Hishu Ju Tadayoshi
    Kore Tadayoshi Umetada Myoju Deshi













































Tadayoshi
Nagasa: 1 Shaku 6 Sun 8 Bu (51cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun (3.05cm)
Nakago: 4 Sun 2 Bu 5 Rin (14.4cm)

Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, Chu-Kissaki.
Standing Ko-Itame with Ko-Mokume Hada has Ji-Nie and Chikei.
Gunome Choji-Midare crowd together with long Ashi-iri in Ko-Nie and deep Nioi while Kinsuji and Sunagashi cut through. Small Tobi-Yaki hang in the Ji above.
Sugu Ko-Maru Boshi with short Kaeri.
Ubu Kengyo Nakago with one Mekugi-ana.
  Hizen-no-Kuni Mutsu-no-Kami Tadayoshi


Courtesy and Permissions Dr Tokuno Kazuo




Musashi Daijo Tadahiro




Juyo Bijutsu-Hin
Musashi Daijo Tadahiro
Nagasa: 1 Shaku 9 Sun (57.57cm)
Moto-Haba: 9 Bu 4 Rin (2.83cm)
Nakago: 4 Sun 8 Bu (14.7cm)


Ide Norikazu Family Possession

Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune to Chu-Kissaki.
Running Itame Hada has Ji-Nie.
High-reaching Gunome Choji Midare Ba in clear Nie and Nie with Sunagashi and Kinsuji.
Midare-Komi Ko-Maru Boshi.

Ubu Kurijiri Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.

     Musashi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro
     Kanei Rokunen Ku Gatsu Nini Yo Hi
       Kirimono Myoju Shichi Juni Saiji
     Kore Tadahiro Umetada Myoju Deshi












































Courtesy and Permissions Dr Tokuno Kazuo

Tadahiro Dambira
Nagasa: 1 Shaku 2 Sun 4 Bu 2 Rin (37.65cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 1 Bu (3.33cm)
Nakago: 4 Sun 2 Bu (12.7cm)


Hira-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, wide Mihaba.
Omote: Bonji and Suken with Tsume Claw.
Ura: Bonji, Gomabashi and Tsume Claw.
Ko-Nuka "Rice Bran" Hada has Ji-Nie and Chikei. Masame along the Mune
Ko-Nie Ko-Notare of Ko-Gunome with Ashi-iri. Sunagashi and Kinsuji pierce the Habuchi of the mid creating Niju effects. Mune-Yaki of Sunagashi and Kinsuji touch along the back.
Midare-Komi Saagari Maru Boshi has Hakikake.

Ubu Kengyo Nakago has two Mekugi-ana.
   Musashi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro
  Kore Tadahiro Umetada Myoju Deshi Kore Kirimono
    Myoju Saku Shichiju Tsuchinoe
























Tadahiro
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 4 Sun 9 Bu (75.6cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 1 Bu (3.3cm)
Nakago: 7 Sun 2 Bu 5 Rin (22.22cm)


Okano Taromatsu Family Possession
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, to O-Kissaki.
Ko-Itame Hada has Ji-Nie.
Chu-Suguha has Ko- Gunome with Ashi and Yo in Nioi-Fukashi and Ko-Nie. Sunagashi runs.
Midare-Komi Boshi hasHotsure and Ko-Maru Kaeri.

Ubu Kengyo Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.
    Hizen-no-Kuni Ju Fujiwara Tadahiro
   Kanei Shichinen Hachi gatsu Kichi Nichi


























Tadahiro Ura-Mei
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 4 Sun (72.72cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 4 Rin (3.15cm)
Nakago: 7 Sun 3 Bu (22.12cm)


Okano Taromatsu Family Possession
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, raised Shinogi-Taka to Chu-Kissaki.
Ko-Itame Hada is tight and running. Thin Ji-Nie.
Hiro-Suguha in a long and gentle Asaki-Notare. Hamon has Choji Ashi and long Sunagashi in the Habuchi. In Nioi-Fukashi and Ko-Nie.
Chu-Sugu, Saagari Ko-Maru Boshi with medium turnback.

Kengyo,
Ubu Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.
    Hizen-no-Kuni Ju Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro

























Nidai Tadahiro
NAGASA: 2 SHAKU 5 Sun, 75.8cm
MOTO-HABA: 1.1 SUN, 3.2cm
SAKI-HABA: 7.7 BU, 2.3cm


HIZENTO SUGATA.
Tightly textured KO-ITAME HADA flows smoothly.

The steel is clear, and grain lines, light.
The YAKIBA is evenly bright in a moderately tight NIOI-GUCHI, which expands into HATARAKI that attends the CHU-SUGUHA HAMON.
BOSHI is CHU-SUGU to CHU-MARU and a wide, medium fall and abrupt Kaeri.
Dark NAKAGO falls to Kengyo and signed TACHI-MEI:

    Hizen-no-Kuni Ju Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro
   Kanei Shichinen Hachi Gatsu Kichi Nichi


























Mutsu-no-Kami Tadayoshi
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 4 Sun 8 Bu (75.14cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 5 Rin (3.15cm)
Nakago: 7 Sun 4 Bu (22.42cm)


Okano Taromatsu Family Possession
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, Shinogi-Taka to Chu-Kissaki.
Tightly knit Ko-Itame Hada has Ji-Nie.
Chu-Suguha in Nioi-Fukashi and Ko-Nie.
Sugu Ko-maru Boshi.

Ubu Kurijiri Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.
Hizen-no-Kuni Mutsu-no-Kami Tadayoshi























Tadayoshi Tachi
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 3 Sun 4 Bu (70.9cm)
Moto-Haba: 9 Bu 8 Rin (2.97cm)
Nakago: 6 Sun (18.18cm)


Tokyo Nationaal Museum
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, Chu-Kissaki.
Standing and knit Ko-Itame Hada becomes stronger Itame in the Moto. Ji-Nie and Chikei are seen.
Suguha that is slightly Asaki-Notare holds Gunome with Ashi and Yo. Sunagashi and Kinsuji attend.
Sugu Boshi has Ko-maru with Hakikake.

Ubu Kurijiri Nakago has two Mekugi-ana.

    Hizen-no-Kuni Junin Tadayoshi Saku
   Kanei Gonen Hachi Gatsu Kichi Nichi - Namban Tetsu
























Iyo-no-Jo Munetsugu
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 4 Sun 7 Bu (74.84cm)
Moto-Haba: 1 Sun 5 Rin (3.18cm)
Nakago: 6 Sun 9 Bu (20.91cm)


Takatsu Yoshiiye Family Possession
Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, elongated Chu-Kissaki.
Itame Hada Runs and stands. Masame in the ShinogiJi.
Billowing Notare has Gunome-Midare with Choji Ashi and Gunome Ashi with many Yo. Strong Nie and running Sunagashi.
O-Midare Komi Boshi has Sunagashi and Hotsure.

Ubu Kurijiri Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.

   Iyemitsu Shogun Rakuchu Shi Gosen Kamme   
      Motte Gin ni Ho Nami So Tan
   Kyu Iyo-no-Jo Minamoto Munetsugu Saku Kore





Iyo-no-Jo Munetsugu
Nagasa:
31 1/2"

Known as mentor to HIZEN TADAYOSHI.  Hizen Sempei
IYO no JO first signed MASATSUGU, his father HATORI NO SUKE of SAKAI UCHI-KURO no SHO. 

SHINOGI-TSUKURI, IHORI-MUNE. KO-ITAME HADA runs in dark steel. MASAME in the SHINOGI-JI. 

Lively KO-NIE paints a smooth-flowing KO-NOTARE BA of GUNOME-MIDARE BA has SUNAGASHI following the grain.

There is a long NIJUBA extending in the MONOUCHI and bright KINSUJI and KO-NIE of different size run through the HAKIKAKE BOSHI. 

UBU, KURIJIRI with one MEKUGI-ANA.

HIZEN-no-KUNI JUNIN 
IYO-no-JO MINAMOTO MUNETSUGU




































Iyo-no-Jo Munetsugu
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 3 Sun 5 Bu (71.25cm)
Nakago: 6 Sun 9 Bu (21.45cm)


Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, deep curve to Ikubi-Kissaki.
Standing O-Mokume Hada. Dark steel of purple cast.
Billowing Notare-Midare of clustering Choji with Ashi with many Yo. The mid becomes more active with strong Nie at the tops and running Sunagashi that pulls Nijuba through figures.
Kaen Boshi in Ko-Nie and Hakikake.

Ubu Kurijiri Nakago has one Mekugi-ana.

Hizen-no-Kuni Junin Iyo-no-Jo Minamoto Munetsugu













































Hizen Munetsugu
Nagasa: 2 Shaku 3 Sun 4 Bu 6 Rin 971.1cm)
Moto-haba: 1 Sun 5 Rin (3.17cm)
Nakago: 6 Sun 4 Bu 4 Rin (19.5cm)


Shinogi-Tsukuri, Ihori-Mune, wide and strong to elongated Chu-Kissaki.
Standing Itame Hada has Ji-Nie and Chikei.
Mounding Ko-Gunome Togari and Ko-Choji Midare with falling Ashi in Nie and strongly running Sunagashi. Hotsure and small Tobi dot in the Ji. 
Midare-Komi Boshi is O-Maru with falling Kaeri on the Mune.

Ubu Kurijiri Nakago has two Mekugi-ana.

Hizen-no-Kuni Mimamoto Munetsugu



Courtesy and Permissions Dr Tokuno Kazuo



Tadamune

Christies
Tadamune
Nagasa: 89.5cm

Shinogi-Tsukuri-Ihori-Mune, elongated Chu-Kissaki.
Bo-Hi to Maru-Dome.
Ko-Itame Konuka Hada has Ji-Nie.
Strong Chu-Suguha of Ko-Nie.
Chu-Sugu Togari Boshi.
Ubu Kengyo Nakago has two Mekugi-ana.

Hizen-no-Kuni Sagami Daijo tadamune Saku Kabuto-Wari
Genroku Ju Gonen Hachi gatsu Kichi Nichi - 1703








Hizen Yoshifusa
Hori by Yoshinaga

Nagasa: 38.2cm

UnoKubi-Tsukuri

Ko-Nuka Hada with Ji-Nie and Chikei
Notare in deep Nioi and Nie with Ashi.
Ko-Maru Boshi


Yoshifusa and Yoshinaga were students of  Shodai Tadayoshi. Both worked in the early Shinto prior to the Kanbun.
Yoshinaga went to Kyoto with his father, Munenaga, where both father and son learned carving from Umetada Myoju.  They are the top distinguished carvers in history and rank with Kotetsu and with such carvers as Shinshinto Yoshitane, brother of Naotane.
Yoshinaga’s carving will be found on works of Shodai Tadayoshi, Nidai Tadahiro, Yoshifusa and Shodai Masahiro. 

     Minamoto Yoshifusa

     Hori Dosaku Fujiwara Yoshinaga