A Tadashige O-Wakizashi (摂州東成生玉荘忠重)

This extra-long o-wakizashi has been freshly polished in a traditional sashikomi finish, and the results are extraordinary – the hamon looks like it is on fire. Sashikomi is an older, more natural style of polish that employs special tsuya stones and nugui to draw out the hamon and its activity in a way that modern mirror polishes cannot match. It is the preferred method of polishing among serious aficionados of Japanese swords, and this blade responds to it magnificently.

Swordsmith Tadashige – surname Inoue – was a pupil of Shodai Tadayuki, who was himself rated Ryo-Wazamono for sharpness, one of the highest cutting classifications. Tadashige worked in Settsu province, now modern-day Osaka, and the blade reflects that distinguished lineage: a lively choji midare hamon with a tight, bright nioikuchi and sophisticated ashi in hachu, all sitting on a clean ko-itame jihada with light utsuri.

The sword carries NBTHK Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho certification – the coveted vintage blue certificate granting the sword “Extraordinarily Precious” status, a rare and significant designation. The sword has also been identified as a candidate for NTHK-NPO Yushuto (highest rank) certification. Supplied with shirasaya and all exportation documentation.