NBTHK Hozon papered Katana signed Kashu-ju Fujiwara IETADA
Shinto Early Edo period (Kan'ei era/circa 1624-) Kaga
Length of cutting edge 69.6cm, Curvature 2.0cm, Width of base 31.5mm, Width of Yokote 20.2mm, Thickness of base 7.2mm
Blade construction : Shinogi-zukuri, a bit on taller side of Iori-mune, higher in Shinogi-suji and thick in Kasane. Mihaba is a bit wider, deeper in curvature and tapers appropriately from base to an elongated chu-kissaki. The entire blade shows harmonious ratio of mihaba to nagasa, kasane and kissaki which was a trend started in the Kan'ei (1624-) period.
Forging (Hada) : Hada is itame to form remarkable Chikei of Masame straight hada ware, which is sparkling with Jinie granules, appears clearly over the Hira-ji.
Temper (Hamon) : Hamon is a bit on stronger side Nie-based, starts with two big surges of Notare then wide Suguha with shallow wavy indication of Notare. Sparkling granules of Nie stays deep along habuchi of boundary line where is perceived with Hotsure fray or Niju-ha double temper activity.
Temper of tip (Boshi) : Boshi is straight Suguha with Notare wave indication with Hakikake brushing indication then turns back deeply to the level of Yokote.
Tang (Nakago) : Cutting edge was a bit shortened Machi-okuri. Bottom heel is UBU original, uneven U-shaped Ha-agari Kuriji in full and greatly slanting left Ō-suji-chigai filemarks. The inscription in front is located on Shinogi-ji side, small seven character - place of work Kashu-ju 加州住, name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and smith name IEDATA 家忠.
IETADA 家忠 in Kaga domain who belonged to Darani school 陀羅尼派 was a second son of IESHIGE 家重, younger brother of smith KATSUKUNI 勝国. Family name is Suzaki 洲崎, given name Kichibei 吉兵衛, lived in Kanazawa city.
According to Nihonto Meikan, his art works with the date of year ranges from Kan'ei 8 to 21 (1631 - 44) and passed away in Meireki 1 (1655)
The second generation IETADA, a child of 1st generation, usually chiselled "Gashu Daisho-ji Fujiwara IETADA" 賀州大聖寺藤原家忠 who died young in Kanbun 10 (1670).
The head of Darani school - KATSUKUNI 勝国 followed Mino technique and made to emulate Sanbon-sugi hamon of KANEMOTO 兼元 sword but on the other hand, IETADA 家忠 made fairly brilliant hamon of Choji midare from Bizen school or splendid wave from Soushu technique to meet with increasing requirement from Samurai class in peaceful Edo era and further he sometimes emulated the koto sword from Yamato school, especially he was very much influenced by Tegai 手掻 works like this example.
Cloth-cover brown lacquered scabbard cloth-wrap style Tachi koshirae consists of :
All metal fittings (kabuto-kane, Fuchi,Kuchi-kanamono, Ashi-kanamono, Seme-kanamono, Ishi-tsuki) are made of steel, gold Koberi rim inlay of clouds design, unsigned
Tsuba of clouds design, Iron ground cross rectangular shape unsigned KUMAGAYA 熊谷 school certified with Hozon Tosogu
Tsuka : Brocade covered brown lacquered cloth-wrap
Menuki : A pair of Leo design, Shakudo Yobori, gold iroe
Sageo : Fumigated deerskin
Gold foiled Tachi-style habaki for Koshirae and Shonai-style Katana habaki for Shirasaya.
Preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting
Good old polish/Condition scale: excellent-very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
