Wakizashi - Fujiwara Saneyuki 藤原實行

This blade is signed "Fujiwara Saneyuki" 藤原實行, blacksmith of the Takada school located in the ancient province of Bungo, Kyushu. The Sugata (shape and dimensions) is typical of early Edo period blades, from Kanei to Kanbun, between 1640 and 1670.

The Bungo Takada school (豊後平高田) was founded by Tomoyuki 友行, blacksmith of the 14^thc (around 1330). It is said that he learned the blacksmithing techniques of the Soshu-Bizen traditionin Osafune, the Soshu tradition in Kamakura with Sadamune 貞宗, but he also studied the Soshu tradition with Samonji 左文字 (student of the great Masamune 正宗) in the province of Chikuzen, then he settled in Takada to train apprentices. His background is incredible and he was renowned as an excellent blacksmith. One of his works, an extra long Tachi of 180cm by Nagasa, rests at the Ōyamazumi Shrine 大山祇神社 since 1470 and is classified as a National Treasure.

The blacksmiths of the Takada school are historically classified into two periods, 'Taira-Takada' for the Koto period (Before 1600) and 'Fujiwara-Takada' for the blacksmiths of the Edo period (after 1600).
In so much war, the blades of the Takada school were sought for their robustness and cutting ability.

It is said that Kyushu was a major center for sword forging because of their trading or warrior ties with the countries of continental Asia, particularly with the Korean invasions. The manufacture of sabers has also developed because of the rivalry between the clans of Kyushu. Finally, the abundance of certain resources, such as high-quality ferruginous sand and coal, present at Mount Sobo Katamuki facilitated the manufacture of quality sabers.
There are 6 generations of Blacksmiths Saneyuki 實行 in Bungo during the Koto period, until 1600. Then 6 other generations following on the Shinto period, from 1600.
The 1^st generation of the Saneyuki lineage, was one of the sons of Tomoyuki, the founder of the school.

The blade presented here is a very beautiful achievement from the first generations of Saneyuki of the Shinto period, with «Kyuzaburo Saneyuki» who forged from the Genna era (1615-1624) and his son «Shozaemon Saneyuki» who forged from the Kanbun period (1661-1673).