Archived Nihonto.ca (Yuhindo.com): Hizen Masahiro Wakizashi

Hizen Masahiro

The Nidai Masahiro of Hizen was born in 1627 and is the son of the Shodai of the same name, and great grandson of Shodai Tadayoshi. Like his father, he began making swords under the mei Masanaga, then later changed to Masahiro, the name by which he is known today.

He received, in succession, three titles: Musashi no Daijo, Musashi no Kami and finally Kawachi no Kami in 1665. He died at the age of 73 in 1700. Fujishiro rates both Masahiro smiths as Jo saku, for superior skill in manufacture.

The Shodai Masahiro worked with Omi Daijo Tadahiro, the second smith of the Tadayoshi line and it is said that he was responsible for handling the forge of Shodai Tadayoshi after his passing until Omi Daijo was able to take over primary responsibilities at the age of 19. The two Masahiro smiths are better known for their work in midareba than the suguba which is similar to Rai work that the mainline Tadayoshi smiths mastered (though their style had variety too).

There are indeed works of suguba in the Masahiro line, and there are notable copies of old works and I have seen one which brings to mind instantly that it is a copy of Rai Kunimitsu. Others I have seen include those in the style of Yamato Shizu.

The Nidai Masahiro worked in several styles as noted above, and this is one of them, featuring an o-choji hamon that in places seems to even demonstrate choji utsuri. The ashi are very long and wide, and the nie of the hamon and in the jihada are very bright. Hizento have notoriously thin skin steel, and there are a couple of areas where core steel is showing through on this blade.

The sword is in old polish, though it is enjoyable as-is, it would be worthwhile to have a shiage done. The sword currently resides in koshirae, and at the time of a shiage a shirasaya should be made for storage.

The quality of the blade and the condition of the signature leads me to believe it is genuine, and would achieve Tokubetsu Hozon level papers at the NBTHK or the equivalent from the NTHK. This is not a guarantee however, the blade is on consignment, and you should research the signature from the pictures provided and make use of the seven day inspection period to settle any questions about it being sho-shin. 

The mei is signed on the sashi omote, which is katana style, and is correct for wakizashi made by the Hizen smiths (katana are signed tachi style). By the style of signature we can place the date between 1665 when he received this title, and 1700 when he died.

In all, it is an attractive package that can be enjoyed as-is or touched up with a little love yielding a nice collectable piece by one of the famous and talented smiths of a premier school.