Fujiwara Yukihiro 藤原行廣 first generation Katana

Hizen kuni Dewa Daijō Fujiwara Yukihiro

Yoshinobu 吉信 son Yukihiro 行廣 1st generation Katana 刀 NBTHK 日本美術刀剣保存協会 Kantei 鑑定 attested
In Shirasaya and original antique Koshirae with Tsunagui

Hizen Tadayoshi School 肥前忠吉 and Yoshinobu 吉信 descendants - Yukihiro 行廣 generations (link, push please)

Katana blade signed (Tachi Mei):
肥前國出羽大掾藤原行廣
Hizen kuni Dewa Daijō Fujiwara Yukihiro

Translate signature (Mei):
肥前國 = Hizen kuni = Hizen province (also Hizen no kuni – make on the Hizen province)
出羽大掾 = Dewa-Daijō or also Dewa no Daijô – (honorary title of swordsmith)
藤原行廣 = Yukihiro Fujiwara (Smith name)

Katana age:
Yukihiro is recognized with the honorific title of Dewa no Daijô in 1648 and ranked up to Dewa no Kami in 1663 this blade must then be from between the two dates (from year 1648 to year 1663). Period of time that spanning the Japanese eras: Keian 慶安 - Jōō 承応 - Meireki 明暦 - Manji 万治 and Kanbun 寛文.

Katana Blade:
Traditional Japanese steel: Tamahagane 玉鋼
Nagasa: 69,1 cm. 
Sori: 0,8 cm.
Motohaba: 3,0 cm.
Sakihaba: 2,05 cm.
Motogasane: 0,7 cm. 
Sakigasane: 0,4 cm.
Hamo: Notare
Hada: Itame
Mei: Hizen kuni Dewa Daijō Fujiwara Yukihiro 肥前國出羽大掾藤原行廣
School: Hizen Tadayoshi 肥前忠吉
Father and Teacher: Fujiwara Yoshinobu 住藤原吉信

Blade condition:
The blade maintains its original shape with no flaws, kizu or other fatal damages worth noting, some few minuscule black spots of old rust, already removed, a group located on the Hamon very close to the Kissaki, some other scattered and completely superficial marks that are practically near almost imperceptible to general view. The polishing is quite recent (from a few years ago) and is really very well preserved. The edge is perfect showing the usual razor.
In summary, a blade without alterations neither in the blade itself nor in the Nakago that has come down to us in its original form and very well preserved for its antiquity.

Koshirae:

High grade quality level.
Old original with fine Kodogu attributed to Kao Mashayuki is not verified by variations in the signatura (Mei) that can be seen in Fuchi external down base. But it is certainly an extraordinary ancient traditional hand work.

Tsuka:
Wood: Honoki (Hinoki 檜 Japanese Cypress)
Fuchi (signed)/Kashira and Menuki couple: Shakudo with Gold and Silver inlay
Same: Ray Skin
Ito: Black natural Silk

Tsuba:
A great fine forged work forming the image of a chrysanthemum

Habaki 鎺:
Solid Silver work in two adjusted parts as usual in high-grade quality pieces.

Saya:
Wood: Honoki (Hinoki 檜 Japanese Cypress)
Kurikata Shitodome couple: Silver Golden plate
A high grade quality work Urushi multilayer lacquered with internal Gold and Silver chips between the layers
Sageo: Brown Silk

Koshirae condition:
Very good general condition. It looks like as antique original Koshirae restored as usual (for sure it is renovated from an indefinite time Ito and Sageo as usual also), very scarce signs of use. General good condition, in my opinion, very appropriate in a very well-preserved Koshirae.

Shirasaya:

Wood: Honoki (Hinoki 檜 Japanese Cypress)
It is a quite recent traditional work, surely done at the same time as the last polishing, as is usually.
Shirasaya condition:
Very good condition.

Tsunagui (Wood Katana Blade):
Also made Honoki (Hinoki 檜 Japanese Cypress)
Tsunagi condition:
Very good condition (only a crack in the wooden habaki).

Bukuro 袋 (Katana bag also called because the fonetical translation "Fukuro"):

Katana bag for Koshirae:
It is a very old craft work quality made of raw natural Silk in fabric woven in the traditional way and themes. It is preserved in quite good condition as can be seen in the pictures.

Katana bag for Shirasaya:
Smooth Silk fabric with natural ecru cotton lining. Perfect condition.

Original Japanese papers:

Kantei 鑑定 attested blade identification:

Nippon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK) 日本美術刀剣保存協会 Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords original Japanese certification of authenticity.

NBTHK Hozon Token paper says this is a Hizen kuni Dewa Daijō Fujiwara Yukihiro 肥前國出羽大掾藤原行廣signed Mei Katana. NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token paper issued by this prestigious official organization in the year 1970.

and

Kyoiku-inkai - Japanese official documentation (paper previously called Daimyo) the document card that testifies to the sword ownership :

Sealed of Prefectural (Kyoiku-inkai) Registration Card In order to legally own a original sword in Japan it has to be registered in accordance with the Ju-to-ho 銃刀法 it is the original card including inscription in equivalent characters of the Katana Nakago Mei (Hizen kuni Dewa Daijō Fujiwara Yukihiro 肥前國出羽大掾藤原行廣) in order at inequivocal blade identification.

Daimyo Registered: This sword was registered in current sword registration system started in Japan in modern era. Such swords, which were registered in a few years after the system started, are known among collectors as "Daimyo" (feudal lord) registration swords as it was Daimyo or other Daimyo-like wealthy families who owned many precious swords and were asked by the Japanese government to register their swords in the early stage of the newly introduced registration system to familiarize it to the society but it is not the official name of course what is Kyoiku-inkai (Prefectural Registration Card)

Ref.: Katana 126

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