There are five generations of Echizen Tomotsugu swordsmith’s listed in Hawley’s.  This smith is also listed in the Nihonto Meikan pg. 633, ref.: 09MC2K.  The shodai or first generation worked around 1381 while the maker of this sword was most likely the last of this lineage working in the late Edo period and likely up into the early shinshinto period.  This sword was attributed by the NTHK to Edo Shinto, Kyoho 1716.

There are three basic designations, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto and this a wakizashi.  The term O-Wakizashi is used to emphasize its length. To meet the designation criteria for Katana, the nagasa must be 2 Shaku in length. Two Shaku equals 23.86” or 60.6044cm. The nagasa of this sword measures 60.166cm (23.6875″) or 1 Shaku, 9 Sun, 8.6 Bu.  It lacks a mere 1.44 Bu or 0.43635168cm (0.171792″) being a Katana.

The sugata is shinogi zukuri with tori-sori.  The nakago is ubu with two mekugi ana and is beautifully signed, Esshu Ni Oite Tomotsugu. The yasurime is sujikai with keisho and yoko yasuri on the omote. The hada is a flawless, perfectly executed tight ko-itame which at first glance could be mistaken for muji.  The hamon is suguha done in nie deki, there are chu nie and perhaps a sprinkling of ara nie in the monouchi area.   The sword exhibits chu kissaki, the boshi is o-maru with hakekake.

A gorgeous sword which comes with NTHK papers.

It comes in a new shirasaya with exotic wood hatome and a one-piece gold foil habaki.

Koshirae with black lacquer saya. The Kojiri is horn and the Kurigata I believe is lacquered wood. The menuki are Misugane (turtles). The tsuba is a nice iron sukashi.  The motif is of chidori and the four cross members could be a subtle Christian Cross(?).

Original Price: $4250 plus S/H

Current Sale Price (25% off): $3400 plus S/H

If you are interested in owning this sword, contact me via the website or directly at yakiba.com@gmail.com