S110.Wakizashi signed Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro.

Nagasa: 19 15/`6″ 50.5 cm.

Sori: 1.3 cm.

Nakago nagasa: 17 cm.

Moto haba: 3 cm.

Saki haba: 2.4 cm.

Moto kasane: .6 cm.

Overall length in koshirae: 29 3/4″ 75 cm.

Shinogi zukuri, iore mune, koshi zori, long chu kissaki, slightly machi okuri. Suguba hamon and ko itame hada.

Mounted with a fine silver foil double habaki, lacuqered saya, iron tsuba, heavy gold foiled seppas, shakudo and other soft metals kotsuka (this has been rubbed) shakudo nanako fuchi with horn kashira, and wonderful Ko-Kinko menuki in shakudo and gold.

There are 3 tiny nicks in the edge, about .5 mm deep; these will disappear with the next polish.  There is one spot on the ura with larger grain (not open, just larger).  There are a few light stains on the blade but these are surface only and there are no defects in the blade to tell you about.  The lacquer on the saya appears to be recent, less than wonderful, and loose at one spot near the koi guchi.

This is a prime example of why you never want to have your swords polished by an amateur; the polish is terrible.  In proper light I can see the hada, which is very fine, as would be expected of Omi Daijo.  The hamon has been almost totally obscurred by a terrible hadori finish; in places I see bits of ko nie but not much else, and the boshi is only faintly visible if you get the light just right.

This is what I believe about this sword.  I think the hamon and boshi are here, just hidden behind the polish.  There is no evidence that the sword has been in a fire and none that it is retempered.  I think the signature is correct for Omi Daijo; I’ve shown pictures of this mei next to an oshigata of a gassaku of 2nd and 3rd Tadahiro from Nihonto Zuikan: Shinto.  I think the sword will polish well and be quite lovely when done right.

Omi Daijo was 2nd generation of Hizen Tadahiro, Jo Jo Saku in Fujishiro’s and Owazamono; a very highly respected swordsmith.  This could be wonderful.  2 pounds, 3 ounces.  $2,250.