* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Tokuzenin Sadamune (Unsigned Sadamune)
徳善院貞宗（無銘貞宗）
Also known as: Tokuzenin Sadamune — National Treasure unsigned Sadamune tanto, Maeda Gen'i provenance, Mitsui Memorial Museum
Description
About Sōshū Sadamune
Sōshū Sadamune was a swordsmith active in Sagami Province (present-day Kanagawa Prefecture) from the late Kamakura period into the Nanboku-chō period. He is considered one of the leading disciples of Masamune, who perfected the Sōshū tradition (Sōshū-den). He is counted among the “Ten Disciples of Masamune” (Masamune Jittetsu). While inheriting his master's bold beauty of nie, he established a style that was calmer and more dignified. Sadamune's tantō are said to have hamon very similar to those of Masamune. Their bōshi has elegant midare-komi, and their jigane is finely forged.
Origin of the Name “Tokuzenin”
This tantō is called “Tokuzenin Sadamune” after Maeda Gen'i (1539–1602), one of the Five Magistrates (Go-bugyō) of the Toyotomi regime. Maeda Gen'i held the religious name (hōgō) Tokuzenin. He was a senior retainer who served Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and after Hideyoshi's death he handled administrative affairs as one of the Five Magistrates. This tantō was originally owned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but it is said that Gen'i received it from Hideyoshi. It later passed to the possession of Tokugawa Ieyasu, then to the Kishū Tokugawa family and the Saijō Matsudaira family, and finally came to the Kita-Mitsui family.
Features of the Sword
This tantō has a blade length of 35.5 cm, a broad mihaba, and an elongated form (sun-nobi). The omote is carved with a bonji (Sanskrit character) and a suken (plain sword) with a kuwagata (helmet-shaped) motif. The ura is carved with a bonji and a goma-bashi (ritual tongs) with a kuwagata motif, in relief (horimono). The jigane shows dense itame-hada, with chikei (ground lines) mixed in, ji-nie (ground particles) appear, and yubashiri (hot-water runs) are present. The upper part of the omote takes on a hitatsura (mixed-temper) appearance. The bōshi is midare-komi, pointed and turned back, with hakikake. The dignified workmanship characteristic of Sadamune pervades the whole blade, from the hamachi to the kissaki. Although unsigned, it is attributed to Sadamune. Among tantō by the same maker, it is especially notable for its vivid hamon, and its jiha (ground and temper) is excellent and sound.
Cultural Property Designation and Current Collection
It was designated a National Treasure on November 22, 1952 (Shōwa 27). It is currently held by the Mitsui Memorial Museum, Chuo Ward, Tokyo, and is shown at special exhibitions and other occasions. It is often compared with Masamune's representative works, and it is highly regarded as a masterpiece that is indispensable when discussing the lineage of the Sōshū tradition.
Legends & Stories
Maeda Gen'i was a senior retainer of the Toyotomi with the religious name “Tokuzenin.” This tantō was named “Tokuzenin Sadamune” as his treasured possession. It was originally owned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and it is said that Gen'i received it from him. It later passed to Tokugawa Ieyasu, and then to the Kishū Tokugawa family and others.