This is a Wakizashi from a rarely seen smith of the Osaka Shinto school, "Terumasa". He signed "Mutsu-no-kami Tachibana Terumasa" and was the adopted son of the first-generation Kobayashi Ise-no-kami KUNITERU in Osaka. His actual name being: Kobayashi Goro-Uemon. He became the head of family succeeding KUNITERU around Genroku (1688) era and his name changed to the title of Izumi-no-kami. He then moved from Osaka to Matsuyama city, Iyo province (Modern day Ehime pref. on Shikoku) to serve for Uwajima feudal domain.
This Wakizashi was made in his younger years while he resided in Settsu, Osaka during Jyokyo era (1684-87). The whole Hamon consists of "Touranba-Midare" that was founded by Tsuda-Echizen-No-Kami Sukehiro and flourished not only among Terumasa or Oumi-no-kami Sukenao which were both in the same school, but also spread out to the other schools in Osaka such as Ikkan-shi Tadatsuna and Echigo-No-Kami Kanesada. Also this innovative "Touranba-Midare" had a strong influence to the future generations such as Suishinshi Masahide, Chounsai Tsunatoshi and Kato Tsunatoshi.
Shape: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune with nice thick Kasane. This magnificent wakizashi shows the typical shape and style of the time which flourished during Joukyo to Houei (1684-1710) era.
Activity: Fine Itame with some indication of partial Mokume when examined closely. beautiful "Nie" combined with "Ji-Nie" and precise lines of "Chikei".
Hamon: Hamon is Touranba-Midare starts with uphill Osaka-style Yakidashi, flamboyant O-midare which is made of large/tall Gunome and box-shape to generates the billows of "Touranba-midare". Thick sparkling Nie granules accumulate on boundary between Hamon and Hada. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystalline areas and thick Nie runs into the cutting edge. You will also spot lines and patches of Nie which make up "Sunagashi" which stand out nicely including what looks like Niju or Yo up near the Kissake.
Boshi: Temper of Boshi forms straight of "Suguha" and medium circle turns back deeply.
Nakago: The Nakago is UBU with original single Mekugi Ana. Horizontal Kesho file marks. The large, deep and freely chiselled inscription on Shinogi-ji ridge starts with the title of Mutsu-no-kami 陸奥守, name of clan Tachibana 橘 and smith name TERUMASA 輝政.
Certificate: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon.
Overall an extremely nice healthy example of his work in the classic Osaka Shinto style with beautiful steel, silky smooth finish and some very interesting an unusual activity to be shown, especially in the Hamon. This wakizashi is sold in Shirasaya and in good polish with Tokubetsu Hozon Papers.
