Monster of a sword

[Beater]

Hi Folks,

Can anyone help me please? This tachi mei is on a huge 30" Hizen sword in shirasaya, which I am considering.
Think it's Hizen kuni Hashimoto Shinsaemon Tadayoshi but I'm sure Guy will correct me if I've got it wrong.
I understand this content was used by the 8th generation, around the mid-1800's. It is typically Hizen in construction, ie chu suguha hamon, ji nie is dense and fine, ko-maru boshi, tight ko Hada. I've struggled in the past with Hizen signatures and their known variations, so wondered if anyone has another by this smith for comparison or knows of a good reference they can suggest to help with comparison?
Thanks in anticipation.

[Beater]

Ko-mokume hada is missing from below - typo.

[GHP]

...Hizen kuni Hashimoto Shinsaemon Tadayoshi

You are 100% correct.

On iPhone...can't be verbose.


--Guy

[Bob Coleman]

Hizen Taikan has oshigata of the Hizen smiths along with mei variations

[james m]

I don't want to drag this thread off topic but can any of you recommend a basic beginners book for Japanese swords? My knowledge in this area is essentially non-existent!
Jim

[Beater]

I don't want to drag this thread off topic but can any of you recommend a basic beginners book for Japanese swords? My knowledge in this area is essentially non-existent!
Jim

You could get a copy of Hizen Taikan by Dr Homma. Snip at about $300. When you've finished translating it from Japanese, could I borrow it?

Or, something like John Yumoto's The Samurai Sword - A handbook, is one which many cut their teeth on.

[Bob Coleman]

I agree that the Yumoto book is a good place to start the journey of learning about Nihonto.