Antique Japanese Wakizashi (long wakizashi), signed Izumo Daijō Fujiwara Yoshitake (出雲大掾藤原吉武) — early Edo period (Enpō era), Yamashiro — NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken, with an earlier NBTHK Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken — a robust, wide blade in shirasaya with sayagaki

Signed long wakizashi by the Kyoto master Izumo Daijō Fujiwara Yoshitake · finely packed ko-itame with thick ji-nie in the Yamashiro manner · a broad notare-with-ko-gunome temper alive with sunagashi and kinsuji · both-era "double" NBTHK papers · bō-hi on both faces · with a sayagaki

A sword of the very highest trust and evaluation: it carries "double" NBTHK certification, spanning from a Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken ("Especially Precious Sword") designation of Shōwa 44 (1969) to the higher Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken rank of Reiwa 4 (2022) — proof that, across more than half a century and the changing standards of appraisal, it has been consistently held in high esteem. This is a commanding long wakizashi by Izumo Daijō Fujiwara Yoshitake, a master who worked in Yamashiro province (present-day Kyoto) in the Enpō era (1673–1681) of the early Edo period. Its magnificently robust figure, breathtaking at a glance, is the very essence of Yoshitake — counted one of the "Five Early Kyoto Masters" — and conveys the exceptional discernment of the patron who commissioned it.

Workmanship and condition

With virtually no loss from re-polishing, the blade boasts astonishing soundness — essentially flawless. The jigane is a finely, minutely packed ko-itame, over which thick ji-nie gather, bringing out the refined beauty of the Yamashiro tradition. The hamon is broad, based on a notare mixed with ko-gunome; the temper edge (habuchi) is bright and utterly clear, and within the edge sunagashi and kinsuji "activity" appear freely in every direction.

Form

The nagasa is a little over 1 shaku 8 sun 7 bu (about 56.7 cm). With a moderate sori and a sakihaba that does not diminish, it is a grand, imposing blade. The deeply carved bō-hi on both faces preserves the blade's strength while reducing its weight, and at the same time serves as a design element that draws a vivid trailing image in motion. Taken in hand, it transmits its tremendous mass and Yoshitake's outstanding forging skill.

On the smith — Izumo Daijō Fujiwara Yoshitake

His real name was Kobayashi Hayato. Carrying on the line of the Mishina school, he is counted one of the "Five Early Kyoto Masters" (Yoshitake, Kunimichi, Sadakuni, Yoshimichi, and Kunitake) — a smith of real standing who received the honorary title of Izumo Daijō. Made in the Enpō era, the ripest period of his career, this piece shows Yoshitake's forging skill and artistry at their very height — a blade fully deserving to be called a representative work.

The mounting and documents

The blade comes in a fine shirasaya that safely protects and hands down the master's spirit. On the scabbard is a sayagaki reading Izumo Daijō Fujiwara Yoshitake in vivid ink, reinforcing the certainty of the attribution — a sayagaki that is not merely a record but an immediate, intuitive testament to the smith's name and standing. The beautifully carved horn fittings and the silver-ground habaki are likewise very carefully made.

A magnificently robust long wakizashi born in the Enpō era, as the culture of Edo moved toward maturity — a truly outstanding work in which Yoshitake's skill is displayed to the full. A piece uniting this width, this soundness, and the sure backing of a double certification is a standout in the market; it will shine on, forever, as the crown of your collection.

Specifications

• Type: Wakizashi (long wakizashi), shinogi-zukuri, with bō-hi on both faces
• Signature (mei): Izumo Daijō Fujiwara Yoshitake (出雲大掾藤原吉武)
• Certification: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken (No. 1019162, December 14, 2022 / Reiwa 4); and an earlier NBTHK Tokubetsu Kichō Tōken (February 29, 1969 / Shōwa 44)
• Period: Early Edo period, Enpō era (1673–1681)
• Smith / school: Izumo Daijō Fujiwara Yoshitake (real name Kobayashi Hayato) — Yamashiro (Kyoto), Mishina school; one of the "Five Early Kyoto Masters"
• Jigane: finely packed ko-itame with thick ji-nie; refined Yamashiro character
• Hamon: broad notare mixed with ko-gunome; bright, clear habuchi with sunagashi and kinsuji
• Blade length (nagasa): 56.7 cm / 22.31 in (a little over 1 shaku 8 sun 7 bu)
• Curvature (sori): 1.27 cm (4 bu 2 rin)
• Width at base (motohaba): 35.1 mm (notably broad)
• Thickness at base (motokasane): 7.3 mm
• Width at tip (sakihaba): 23.9 mm
• Thickness at tip (sakikasane): 5.5 mm
• Weight (blade only): 680 g
• Condition: superbly sound, essentially flawless, with virtually no polish-loss
• Mounting: shirasaya (plain wood resting scabbard) with a sayagaki ("Izumo Daijō Fujiwara Yoshitake"), carved horn fittings, and a silver-ground habaki
• Torokushō (Japanese registration) No.: Chiba 7304