Wakizashi Made by DAIDO 大道
Description
Mei : Mumei, but it resembles the work of Daido.
Material : Tamahagane
Jihada (Jigane): Itame-hada
Temper patterns (Hamon) : Notare-midare with Uchinoke and Nie
Era : Muromachi Period
Country(Kuni) : Mino Province (Gifu)
Paper(Status) : [N.B.T.H.K] Hozon Token(Aug 22, 2025)
[Size]
Blade Length(Cutting edge) : 36.1cm
Curve(SORI) : 0.7cm
Width at the hamachi(Moto-Haba) : 3.2cm
Wide at the Kissaki(Saki-Haba) : 1.9cm
Thickness at the Moto-Kasane : 0.7cm
Weight (Sword Only) : 341g
Rivet Holes(Mekugiana): 1
Length of Koshirae : about 60cm
[Additional Information]
Daidō (originally signing as Kanemichi) is recorded as the ninth-generation descendant of Shizu Saburō Kaneuji. Alongside Kanetsune (later Masatsune) and Kanefusa (later Ujifusa), he is regarded as one of the finest smiths of the late Muromachi period.
His earliest dated works bearing the Kanemichi signature appear around Tenbun 16 (1547), and pieces are seen up through Eiroku 5 (1562), giving us a clear impression of his active years. In the spring of Eiroku 12 (1569), Kanemichi presented a sword to Emperor Ōgimachi. For this distinguished achievement, he was granted the honorary title Mutsu no Kami, and further awarded the character 「大」(Dai), after which he changed his name to Daidō.
Daidō is also celebrated as the founding master of the Mishina School in the early Shintō era. During the Bunroku period (1592–1595), he reportedly moved to Kyoto with his four sons— Iga no Kami Kinmichi, Rai Kinmichi, Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi, and Etchū no Kami Masatoshi— establishing the prestigious Mishina lineage. About This Blade This piece is a wakizashi of slightly short length, yet with a broad mihaba and a sturdy, powerful appearance— characteristics often appreciated in late-Muromachi workmanship.
A carved ascending dragon (nobori-ryū) remains on the blade. Due to age and historic polishing, part of the carving has naturally softened, but the motif is still clearly visible and retains more than enough detail for proper appreciation. Overall, this wakizashi is a fine example from the transitional period leading toward the early Shintō era. It carries both historical value and aesthetic appeal, offering an excellent opportunity to own a work connected to the celebrated Daidō lineage of the Shizu–Mishina tradition.