Fushimi Sadamune
伏見貞宗
Also known as: Tanto, Unsigned, Attributed to Sadamune (Fushimi Sadamune)
Description
Fushimi Sadamune is an unsigned tanto attributed to Sadamune, who is traditionally regarded as the son (or leading disciple) of Masamune, the great master of the Sōshū tradition. Designated a National Treasure, the blade measures 30.2 cm and carries a Honami family attribution certificate (origami) confirming the Sadamune attribution, with the sound steel and calm temper line typical of Sōshū-school tanto. The origin of its name is not entirely clear, though one theory ties it to a period spent at Fushimi Castle. Tradition also holds that Katō Yoshiaki — one of the storied "Seven Spears of Shizugatake" who served Toyotomi Hideyoshi — obtained the blade from Kagatsume Kai-no-kami, though the chronology of this account does not fully add up, leaving its reliability in question. The blade's accompanying sword bag is embroidered with the Tokugawa family's triple-hollyhock crest, a detail that has drawn attention as possible evidence of a link to the Tokugawa shogunal house. It is now held by the Kurokawa Institute for Classical Culture, a public interest incorporated foundation in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, where it is listed in the institute's official collection as the tantō, unsigned, meibutsu Fushimi Sadamune.
Legends & Stories
Tradition holds that Katō Yoshiaki, one of the Seven Spears of Shizugatake, acquired the blade from Kagatsume Kai-no-kami, though the timeline does not align and the story's reliability is questioned. An accompanying sword bag embroidered with the Tokugawa triple-hollyhock crest hints at a possible connection to the Tokugawa shogunal family.