Shishi Sadamune

獅子貞宗

Also known as: Shishi Sadamune; the wakizashi named for its lion menuki

Smith: Sadamune (Sōshū Sadamune)
Era: Late Kamakura – early Nanbokuchō period (early 14th century)
Type: Wakizashi
Designation: Meibutsu (listed in the Kyōhō Meibutsu-chō)
Location: Private collection (formerly the Iyo-Saijō Matsudaira family)

Description

Overview

Shishi Sadamune is an unsigned wakizashi attributed to Sōshū Sadamune, with a blade length of 1 shaku 2 sun 5 bu (37.8 cm). Both sides bear carved bō-hi grooves. The obverse groove depicts a kurikara sword accompanied by a three-pronged vajra (sanko), and the reverse groove has a relief carving of a sword with a sanko-hilted design. It is one of the blades among Sadamune's works known for the skill of its carving.

Origin of the Name

The name is derived from the lion (shishi) menuki attached to the koshirae of this wakizashi.

Provenance

The blade was recorded as a possession of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the "Toyotomi-ke Okoshimono-chō," and Hon'ami Kōtoku left a sword sketch (katana-e) of it. After being badly damaged by fire in the Osaka campaign, it was re-tempered by Echizen Yasutsugu, who also produced a copy. Tokugawa Ieyasu gave the blade to Tokugawa Yorinobu of the Kishū Tokugawa family. It then passed through Yorizumi, the third son of Yorinobu, and was transmitted to the Iyo-Saijō Matsudaira family.