Famous Japanese swordsmith – Terukado

Fujiwara Terukado was a leading Mino swordsmith, based in the prominent sword making village of Seki, active during the early Edo period (making him a shinto smith). Terukado is considered part of the Zenjo (善定 ) school (sometimes transliterated as Yoshisada).

Part of the Mino Kanekado line, Terukado changed his name (from Kanekado) in around 1659. Some sources state this was when he received the highest ranked “Tanba no Kami” title, but there are examples using Terukado in signatures at the rank of “Tanba no Daijo”.

Style

Terukado swords are great examples of the Kanbun style, with a focus on utility and function, over flamboyance. These are practical blades, for Samurai who expect to rely on them, rather than something made as a status symbol or for show.

Hada: uses a mixture of ko-itame and masame.

Hamon: suguha with ji-nie.

Nakago: katte sagari (file marks) finshed in the hagari kurijiri shape.

Ratings

Hawley’s: 60 points
Toko Taikan: ¥3.8M
Fujishiro: 25 / “Chu Jo Saku”

Signatures

 善定藤原兼門 (Zenjou no Fujiwara Kanekado)

丹波大掾藤原照門 (Tanba no Daijo Fujiwara Terukado)

丹波守藤原照門 (Tanba no Kami Fujiwara Terukado)

濃州丹波守藤原照門 (Noshuu Tanba no Kami Fujiwara Terukado)

Together with a few other variations.

Notable owners