Hizen Saga ju KUNIHIRO

w/ cutting test

Sayagaki by Dr Homma

Published: Kanto Hibi Sho by Dr Homma (Kunzan)

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certification

Swordsmith: Hizen Saga ju KUNIHIRO    Location: Hizen

Length (Nagasa): 73.9    Curvature (Sori): 1.8 cm    Width (Motohaba): 3.24 cm

Kitae: Ko-itame and Hada- tatsu, Chikei, Jinie w/ Aranie.

Hamon: ko-nie, large irregular with Choji and Gunome, Ko-ashi and Yo, Sunagashi, Kinsuji.                                                     

Mei (signature): omote) Hizen Saga ju KUNIHIRO; ura) (kin-zogan) Manji Gan-nen 3 gatu-hi [Manji Era - March 1660] Wakige [armpit / under arms] Hiraji-iri [into the earth] Ni Oite [at] Kirioroshi [Cutting downwards]

Cutting test (Tameshigiri): Kinzogan (gold inlay) March 1660 Cutting test into "under arms / armpit area (#7)"

Nakago: Ubu Nakago, Haagari Kurijiri and thin point, Kiri file marking, one Mekugi-ana

Era: Early Edo period [Kan'ei to Manji]                   

Certificate: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon (Extraordinarily Worthy of Preservation)

Published: Published: Kanto Hibi Sho [Vol. 2] by Dr Homma (Kunzan)

Fujishiro: Chu-jo saku (Above Average Made)

Toko Taikan: Tokuno rates him at 2,500,000 yen                  

Sharpness rating: Wazamono [Kokan Kaji Biko by Yamada Asaemon]

Included: Shirasaya and silk bag

Hizen Saga Ju Kunihiro is rated chu-jo saku in Fujishiro's Nihon Toko Jiten - Shinto Hen, and has a sharpness rating of Wazamono.  In Toko Taikan, Tokuno values this smith's work at 2,500,000 yen.  He was the son of Hirosada [whom was student of 1st generation (Shodai) Tadayoshi, see detailed genealogy chart further below.  Many of his blades have had the Hizen Saga Ju removed, and were passed off as Horikawa Kunihiro. The kinzogan [gold inlay] cutting test "Wakige" under arms or armpit was done in March of 1660 AD. See cutting test charts further below.

Page copy from book & translation below: Kanto Hibi Sho by Dr Homma (Kunzan)

(Katana mei) Hizen no kuni Saga ju (ni-sumau) KUNIHIRO

Length 2.43 shaku, Mekugi holes 1.

Width of the body and kissaki are normal. Light Koshi-zori.

Kitae, Ko-itame and Hada- tatsu

Chikei, Jinie w/ Aranie.

Hamon, konie, large irregular with Choji and Gunome, Koashi and Yo, Sunagashi, Kinsuji.

Boshi deep Kaeri and Hakikake.

Ubu Nakago, Haagari Kurijiri and thin point, Kiri file marking.

There is a long signature in Hakiomote (the front)

In Hakiura (back side), there is a Saidan-mei with gold inlay

 "Manji Gan-nen 3gatu-hi, Wakige Hiraji ni oite kiriotosu."

(1660 March, cut under the arms on the flat ground.)

Kanto Hibi Sho by Dr Homma (Kunzan)

Book page image: Courtesy - Markus Sesko (Author), E Genealogies and Schools of Japanese Swordsmiths (page 115), Click to purchase

(Click image: for larger image of shirasaya showing sayagaki)

Sayagaki by Dr Homma KUNZAN:

 Hizen Saga ju KUNIHIRO, length 2shaku 4sun 3bu

1978, July, written by KUNZAN, kao (signature)

# 7 / Wakige (arm pit or under arms)

Kin-kise (Gold) Niju (2 piece) -habaki

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