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Signature (Mei): 近江守藤原継広 Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro
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Swordsmith: Tsuguhiro (Apprentice of 3rd Gen Yasutsugu)
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School / Tradition: Echizen Shimosaka School (Mino-den roots)
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Period / Province: Early Edo Period (Kanbun era, 1661-1673) / Echizen & Edo
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Certificate: NBTHK Hozon (保存刀剣)
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Mounting: High-quality "Inaho" (Harvest) themed Koshirae
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Blade Length (Nagasa): 65.0 cm
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Curvature (Sori): 1.2 cm
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Mekugi-ana: 2
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Shape: Shinogi-zukuri with a shallow Kanbun-style curvature
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Jihada: Tight Itame with Mino-influenced Shirake-utsuri
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Hamon: Vibrant Gunome-midare with bright Nioikuchi
This refined Katana is a certified NBTHK Hozon work by the esteemed smith Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro. Measuring 65.0 cm with a 1.2 cm sori, the blade exhibits the characteristic "Kanbun Shinto" silhouette—a shape favored by the samurai of the early Edo period for its balanced handling and functional efficiency. The tang is remarkably preserved with two mekugi-ana and a clear, dual-sided signature: the front bearing his prestigious title and name, while the reverse indicates his residence in Echizen under the Shimosaka school name.
The blade's aesthetics are rooted in the Mino-den tradition, featuring a dense and well-forged itame grain. The hamon is a masterful gunome-midare, showing the bright, cloud-like nioikuchi that was a hallmark of the Shimosaka smiths who served the highest levels of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Koshirae Details
The sword is adorned with a thematic koshirae celebrating Inaho (the rice harvest), a symbol of wealth and divine protection in Japanese culture. The tsuba is a masterful iron sukashi (openwork) piece depicting sheaves of ripening rice. This motif is elegantly continued in the menuki and fuchi-kashira, which feature high-relief carvings of farmers and scenes of abundance. The saya is finished in a deep, lustrous black lacquer, providing a sober yet high-status aesthetic that complements the golden silk tsuka-ito.
Swordsmith Background
Omi no Kami Tsuguhiro was a prominent figure within the Echizen Shimosaka school during the mid-17th century. As a direct apprentice to the third-generation Yasutsugu, Tsuguhiro inherited the elite technical secrets of the Okakaekaji (the official smiths to the Shogun). While primarily based in Echizen, historical records show that his skill was so highly regarded that he was also active in the capital city of Edo. His work is celebrated for bridging the gap between the rugged practicality of Sengoku-era blades and the refined artistry of the peaceful Edo period.
School History
The Echizen Shimosaka School rose to national fame under the patronage of the Tokugawa clan. Founded by the first-generation Yasutsugu—who was granted the use of the "Aoi" (Holly Oak) crest and the character "Yasu" by Tokugawa Ieyasu—the school became synonymous with the "Shinto" (New Sword) era. Blades from this lineage were world-renowned for their razor-sharpness and functional resilience, drawing heavily from the Mino-den style. This katana stands as a testament to that legacy, representing the peak of craftsmanship in the Hokuriku region under the service of the Matsudaira and Tokugawa families.
