The province of Bizen was located far from Japan's political center throughout its history, allowing it to prosper regardless of the political state of sovereignty of the day. These are collectively known as Gokaden (five traditions of swordmaking). The characteristic styles of these five regions were passed down from master to disciple and from one region to the next. Research on Japanese swords since the Meiji period has revealed five different features or styles based on the regions in which they were made: Yamashiro (Kyoto prefecture), Yamato (Nara prefecture), Bizen (Okayama prefecture), Sagami (Kanagawa prefecture), and Mino (Gifu prefecture. The region is blessed with all the vital ingredients needed for Japanese sword making: iron sand, water, and charcoal of Japanese red pine, which has excellent thermal efficiency. The ancient province of Kibi (of which Bizen was the easternmost region now Okayama prefecture) possessed excellent ironmaking technology, which helped make Kibi into a powerful state. The preserved 'folded over' system, that can be seen beautifully done on this blade, in order to preserve the blade smith's signature, was only reserved for the best and most highly revered blades, often of historical significance to the samurai's family. The founder of the sword maker school, Tadamitsu in Bizen, is referred in the Shouou period (1288-93) and the oldest existent Tanto by him has the date year, Teiji 3,1364) during the Nanbokucho period, then later generations shows the records of Ouei to Bunmei era (1394-1486) in Muromachi period. The hamon forms a delightful gunome pattern, mixing with clove (Choji) outline which is slanted generally. A wonderful Muromachi era blade almost 600 years old, with a superb hamon, in around 95% polish, with gold foil habaki and blade smith shortened tang with its original preserved ‘folded over’ signature inlaid and inserted within the tang. Superb black silk tsuka-ito over fine pure gold decorated menuki. Deep red ishime stone finish lacquer saya, with carved buffalo horn fittings and Mino Goto throat mount. With its spectacular suite of beautiful original Edo Mino Goto fittings with tsuba, in shakudo, and pure gold decor of flowers, cricket, catydid and praying mantis. With rare gakumei where the mei (signature) was removed from the original tang and inserted into the shortened tang in order to preserve the important master smith’s signature upon his museum grade blade. Museum Grade Koto Era Samurai Wakizashi Sword By Master Tadamitsu With Rare Gakumei, Circa 1440-1460 Mino Goto Koshirae, With Deep Red Ishime Lacquer Saya & Black Silk Binding
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