輝廣 Teruhiro of Aki – Sandai Oshigata Request

Robert Mormile · September 16, 2014

Hello Fellow NMB Members:

I am trying to locate some oshigata for the line of smiths that worked in Aki that signed Teruhiro. It seems that there are oshigata of the shodai in abundance however the nidai and sandai are few in number. Fujishiro lists two examples of nidai and then states the following on sandai:

播磨三代以下数代続くも作品ほ見当たらない。

Harima sandai ika sudai suzuku mo sakuhin wa miataranai.

Which I am reading as: “There were many generations of the Harima smiths however after the third generation works haven’t been seen or recorded.”

I am not sure if this means that he personally hasn’t recorded (made oshigata) the sandai or if the situation is that authenticated examples don’t exist.

It seems that there were indeed 14 generations from shodai in latest koto times to jyuyondai listed in 1844.

If someone has a papered third or later generation example of Teruhiro it would be greatly appreciated. The sword that is under discussion is stylistically a dead-ringer for other tanto and wakizashi that I have seen on the internet in sugata, deki, hamon, etc. If I am lucky enough to acquire the blade, I will post photos.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert

Robert Mormile · September 29, 2014

All:

Wanted Dead or Alive:

Will donate to NMB for Teruhiro sandai oshigata

One oshigata = $50 donation

Two oshigata = $100 donation

Must provide oshigata prior to October 15, 2014.

* Must be papered or published example.

Thank you. Robert

cabowen · September 29, 2014

Sandai died very young and his work is said to be extremely rare. I looked around and found nothing. Maybe someone else will have some luck....

Robert Mormile · September 30, 2014

Chris:

Thanks for your input. Have you seen any published oshigata from generations after 2nd? It seems that there were many generations but only the first two seem to be noted in detail. With a linage that lasted so long, it’s interesting that it is not better documented. Thanks again.

Robert

cabowen · September 30, 2014

While I haven't seen anything said to be a later generation, I have seen a few kantei-sho that just say "江戸中期" but do not specify a generation. Your best bet might be to see if there are any publications on Aki smiths. I believe there was a museum exhibit catalog I had that focused on these smiths as I had a nidai Teruhiro wakizashi at one time and used it as a reference...Don't have access to it now, but look around and you might find something...

Kronos · September 30, 2014

http://www.nihontoantiques.com/fss145.htm

This should be 3rd or 4th gen going by the dates. I can't read the Kanteisho so can't confirm.

This also shows Oshigata from 3rd gen but not sure on the source:

http://www.nihonto.us/TERUHIRO%20WAKIZASHI.htm

Robert Mormile · September 30, 2014

James:

Thanks for posting. I did see these two entries. The paper does not state generation or date(s). I believe the Sandai oshigata comes from Fujishiro (I will confirm) which lists sandai but doesn’t offer an oshigata. Talk to you later.

Robert

Bazza · October 2, 2014

I am told by a freind in swords that TOKO TAIKAN page 409 has an oshigata of the sandai.

I'm also told that Shibata's REI has numerous oshigata/photos of later generation Teruhiro in the HEISEI issues without generation mentioned, apart from earlier issues having oshigata noted as shodai or nidai.

Best regards,

BaZZa.

k morita · October 2, 2014

Robert,

The study of the mei of The 3rd gen Teruhiro appears on [ Token-Bijutsu ] monthly journal,NBTHK, pub 2001, #529 and #530.

There are 4 indisputable tang Oshigata of 3rd gen Teruhiro on this journal.

nagamaki - Franco · October 2, 2014

This may be helpful http://www.nihonto.us/TERUHIRO%20WAKIZASHI.htm

Jussi Ekholm · October 2, 2014

Morita-san pointed you to an awesome source. I just browsed through these two numbers of TB and there is lots and lots of information. Unfortunately with my own very limited Japanese I cannot yet read these amazing articles. However, I'm sure you will find the information you are looking for in this article.

This much I could read, this is to my reading enlargened side by side comparison of nidai and sandai mei.

There are 33 pictures in these two issues. But unfortunately I cannot read Japanese well enough to provide you the 4 indisputable oshigata that Morita-san mentioned.

Robert Mormile · October 3, 2014

Bazza: Thanks for your input.

Jussi: One of the oshigata that you provide is indeed sandai. Thank you!

Morita-san: My subscription to Token Bijutsu ended when I left Japan in 1998. Would you be able to photograph oshigata from the later Teruhiro generations that the article offers? The blade that I am considering may actually be later than 3rd generation, I suspect.

I will be making a donation to NMB when this process is finished.

Many Thanks to all.

Robert