Tsuda Sukenao Katana

This is the last sign and dated Blade what Sukenao has made in his live.

Biography of Tsuda Sukenao

Sukenao, who was popularly called Magodayu, was born in Takagi-mura, Yasu-gun, Omi Province. He went over to Osaka, where he entered the workshop of Sohoro Sukehiro and afterwards became a student of Tsuda Sukehiro. There have been two theories about him, either he was an adopted son of Tsuda Sukehiro or he was the husband of Tsuda Sukehiro´s jounger sister. It is usually assumed that the later theory is correct. In other words, he was the husband of Sohoro Sukehiro´s daughter and a jounger brother-in-law of Tsuda Sukehiro. Since it is written in Kokon Kaji Biko that he was fifty-one years old in the Tsuchi-noto-mi ( second ) year of Genroku ( 1689 ) , it is estimated that he was born in the sixteenth year of Kanei ( 1639 ) . His earliest dated work is March in the eighth year of Kanbun ( 1668 ) and his last dated one is February in the sixth year of Genroku ( 1693 ) . His working period is therefore about twenty-five years. Since there is another undated work that is thought to have been made earlier than the time of March oft he eight year of Kanbun, it can be also said that his working span is twenty-six years at least.
Sukenao produced blades both in his home town, Takagi-mura, and in Osaka. After Tsuda Sukehiro died in March oft he second year of Tenna, Sukenao settled in Osaka. It is written in the Nambazuru published in the seventh year of Enpo ( 1679 ) that he resided in Yariya-cho in Osaka.
Geographically, Omi is not so far from Osaka, and it is certain that there two sources of his blades, those done in Osaka and others done in Omi. For instance, those which are inscribed ´´Sesshu ni oite kore o tsukuru´´ have the dates of September oft he third year of Enpo ( 1675 ) and of February oft he seventh year of Enpo 1679 ). Although it is very hard to distinguish between them, there is a tendency that the character ´´ Ju ´´ is commonly found in the works produced in Omi, as inscripted ´´Omi-no-kami Takagi ju Sukenao.
Sukenao studied under Tsuda Sukehiro and at the same time had to cooperate with his master, not only in the master-student relation but also as his brother-in-law. Although Tsuda Sukehiro had an adopted son called Zentaro Sukehiro ( the third-generation ), no work of his has been identified as yet. After the death of Tsuda Sukehiro, Sukenao continued to work actively as the actual successor to Sukehiro and also the leader oft he Tsuda School.
He used four types of inscriptions: ´´Omi-no-kuni ju Sukenao´´ which is his earliest signature seen from the eight year of Kanbun ( 1669 ) ; ´´Omi-no-kami Tagaki ju Sukenao´´ ( eight-character-Mei ) used in the middle of his working period and most frequently seen among his blades;
´´Tsuda Omi-no-kami Sukenao´´ which is his later signature; and Omi-no-kami Sukenao´´ ( five-character-Mei ) seen from the tenth year tot he twelfth year of Kanbun ( 1670-1671 ). While the surname of ´´Tsuda ´´ first appeared in the third year of Enpo (1675 ), it had disappeared for the next seven years. During those years, the term of ´´ Takagi´´ was used. The seven-character-Mei of ´´Takagi Omi-no-kami Sukenao´´ is found on two blades dated Enpo 5-nen and 8-nen respectively. It is peculiar that each of these two has another inscription of ´´8-gatsu jo Kiichijitsu.´´
He began making regular use oft he surname of ´´Tsuda´´after the work signed ´´Tsuda Omi-no-kami Sukenao´´and dated ´´Tenna 2 nen 8-gatsu ( August of 1682 ).´´For a short period, he also added ´´Goshu Takagi´´ without Ju. This additional inscription is thought to have meant that he came from Goshu Takagi and settled down in Osaka.
Sukenao was given the title of ´´Omi-Daijo´´ in spring oft he ninth year of Kanbun ( 1669 ) followed by ´´Omi-no kami´´ in summer oft he same year. Nevertheless, there is his blade inscripted ´´ Omi-Daijo and dated ´´Enpo 3-nen 9 gatsu ( September 1675 )´´ , that is six years after the ninth year of Kanbun. It is an importend point since there was no other swordsmith during the Edo peroid, except Sukenao, who once used the title of ´´Omi-Daijo´´ and stopped, used it again after six years. Also, Sukenao started to use ´´Omi-no-kami´´ in November oft he third year of
Enpo ( 1675 ), two months later than the time he was given ´´Omi-no-kami´´ in November oft he third year of Enpo ( 1675 ), two months later than the time he has given ´´Omi-Daijo´´ fort the second time.
According to extant works by Sukenao and reference data, his latest dated inscription found so far is Genroku 6-nen 2 gatsu ( February of 1693 ). Conceivably, Sukenao died in the same year.
It is certain that he was not buried in the Myotoku Temple which is a family temple oft he Tsudas, since his name has not been recorded in the negrology oft he temple. It is thought that he may be buried in Takagi-mura, his home town ; but ist definite place is unknown.

According to this Biography of Tsuda Sukenao, this blade we show here is the last sign and dated work of Tsuda Sukenao. This Blade was never send for juyo paper. This blade is from my personal collection, and i like to sell it for a good offer. So by interest please writte me a message and we can talk about the blade and the price.