Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 67|Part 2 of - - -31|Shin-Shin-To (Bakumatsu Period Sword) 1781-1867, Uncategorized

64| Part 2 of –30 Shin Shin-To : Bakumatsu sword (新々刀)

This Chapter is a detailed Chapter of the 30|Bakumatsu Period, Shin Shin-to.  Please read Chapter 30 before reading this chapter.

0-timeline - size 24 Bakumatsu

                  The circle Above indicates the time we discuss in this chapter.

Swords made between the Tennmei era (天明 1781) and the end of the Keio era (慶應) are called shin shin-to.  Please refer to the timeline above.  This period was when Japan was moving toward the Meiji Restoration, known as the Bakumatsu era.  During this time, sword-making became active again.  Below are the well-known swordsmiths from the main areas.

Musashi no Kuni  (武蔵の国: Tokyo today)                                                       

Suishinshi Masahide (水心子正秀) ——— When Suishinshi Masahide made Yamashiro-den style swords, their shapes resembled those of ko-to period swords; funbari, an elegant shape; chu-suguha (medium straight); komaru-boshi, with fine wood grain. When he forged in the Bizen style, he made a Koshi-zori shape, similar to a ko-to made by Bizen Osafune.  Nioi with ko-choji, and katai-ha (refer to  30| Bakumatsu Period Sword 新々刀).  In my old sword textbook, I noted that  I saw Suishinshi in November 1970 and October 1971.

Taikei Naotane (大慶直胤) ————————–Although Taikei Naotane was part of the Suishinshi group, he was one of the top swordsmiths.  He had an exceptional ability to forge a wide range of sword styles beautifully.  When he made a Bizen-den style, it resembled Nagamitsu from the Ko-to era, with nioi.  Also, he did sakasa-choji as Katayama Ichimonji had done.  Katai-ha appears.  The notes in my old textbook indicate I saw Naotane in August 1971.

Minamoto no Kiyomaro (源清麿) ————————– Kiyomaro wanted to join the Meiji Restoration movement as a samurai; however, his guardian recognized Kiyomaro’s talent as a master swordsmith and helped him become one.  It is said that because Kiyomaro had a drinking problem, he was not very eager to make swords.  At age 42, he committed seppuku.  Kiyomaro, who lived in Yotsuya (now part of Shinjuku, Tokyo), was called Yotsuya Masamune because he was as good as Masamune.  His swords featured wide-width, shallow sori, stretched kissaki, and fukura-kereru.  The boshi is komaru-boshi.  Fine wood grain ji-gane.

Settsu no Kuni   ( 摂津の国:  Osaka today)

Gassan Sadakazu (月山貞一) ———- Gassan excelled in the Soshu-den and Bizen-den styles, but he was capable of making in any style.  He was as much a genius as Taikei Naotane.  You must pay close attention to notice a sword made by Gassan from genuine ko-to.  He also had remarkable carving skills.  His hirazukuri-kowakizashi, forged in the Soshu-den style, looks just like a Masamune or a Yukimitsu.  He forged in the Yamashiro-den style, with Takenoko-zori, hoso-suguha, or chu-suguha in nie.  Additionally, he forged the Yamato-den style with masame-hada.

 

 

Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 65 | Part 2 of --- 29 | Main 7 Area Among Shin-To Sword (part B), Uncategorized

62|Part 2 of — 28 Shin-To Main 7 Region (part B)

This chapter is a detailed part of Chapter 28, Shin-t Main 7 Regions (part B).  Please read Chapter 28 before reading this chapter.  Below are regions 3 and 7.

0-timeline - size 24 Shin-to                           The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section    

29 Map with number 7

3.Musashi (Edo)

We also find many famous swordsmiths in Edo.  They were Yasutsugu (康継), Kotetsu (虎徹), Noda Hankei (野田繁慶), Hojoji Masahiro (法成寺正弘), and their followers.

Two photos below are swordsmiths from Musashi (武蔵: Tokyo).  

                       Yasutsugu  From the Sano Museum Catalogue.  (Permission to use granted)

Characteristics of Yasutusgu (康継) ——Shallow curvature; chu-gissaki (medium kissaki); a wide notare hamon, midare, or o-gunome (occasionally double gunome); traces of Soshu-den and Mino-den; a wood-grain pattern mixed with masame on the shinogi-ji.

 

              Kotetsu (虎徹) from Sano Museum Catalogue, (permission to use granted)

Here is the famous Kotetsu.  His formal name was Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu (長曽祢興里入道虎徹).   Kotetsu started making swords after turning 50.  Before that, he was an armor maker.  

The characteristics of Kotetsu ———————— A shallow curvature and wide width, a wide tempered line with nie.  A small irregular hamon surrounds the machi area, transitioning into a wide suguha-like notare in the upper area.  Fine nie, komaru–boshi with a short turn back.  The ji-hada is a fine-grained wood with burl.  Occasionally, o-hada (black core iron shows through) appears in the lower part above the machi area.  The illustration above shows a thick-tempered line with nie, a typical feature of Kotetsu. Once you see it, you will remember it.   The next region is 7 (skip 4, 5, and 6)

 

  1. Satsuma (Kyushu) 

  Miyahara Mondonosho Masakiyo (宮原主水正正清) from Sano Museum Catalogue (permission to use granted).

Miyahara Mondonosho Masakiyo was highly respected by the Shimazu family of Satsuma- han (the Satsuma domain in Kyushu).  Later, he was chosen to travel to Edo to forge swords for Shogun Yoshimune. 

Mondonosho Masakiyo’s characteristics————- Well-balanced sword shape, shallow curvature, and wide and narrow hamon mixed with squarish hamon and pointed hamon as shown in the photo above.  He engraved the Tokugawa family’s Aoi crest (the hollyhock crest) on the nakago.

Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 6| Heian Period Sword 792-1192 «part 2», Uncategorized

38|Part 2 of — 5 Heian Period Sword 794-1192 (平安太刀)

This chapter is a detailed part of  Chapter 5, Heian Period Sword.  Please read Chapter 5 before this section.  More sword terminology will be used in the upcoming chapters.  These terms were explained in Chapters 1-31.  If you encounter unfamiliar sword terms, please refer to Chapters 1 through 31.

0-timeline - size 24 Heian                   The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this sect         

During the Heian period, several swordsmith schools were active.  We use the word “den” to refer to these schools.  These include Yamashiro-den (山城伝), Yamato-den (大和伝), and Bizen-den (備前伝).  Additionally, the following regions had other active groups during the Heian period: Hoki-no-kuni (伯耆の国) and Oo-u (奥羽).   Oo-u is pronounced “Oh,” and “U” as in uber.

 Yamashiro Den (山城伝 )

During the Heian period, among Yamashiro-den swords, the most famous sword was the “Mikazuki Munechika“ (三日月宗近) by Sanjo Munechika (三条宗近).  Mikazuki means crescent.  It was named Mikazuki Munechika because the crescent-shaped uchinoke (collection of Nie) pattern appears in the hamon.  It has a graceful shape, a narrow body, koshi-zori, funbari, and a small kissaki.  The sword shows a wood grain pattern on its surface, with suguha with nie mixed with small irregular lines, and sometimes a nijyu-ha (double hamon: 二重刃) appears.  Sanjo Munechika lived in the Sanjo area of Kyoto.  His sword style was passed down through his sons and grandsons: Sanjo Yoshiie (三条吉家), Gojo Kanenaga (五条兼永), and Gojo Kuninaga (五条国永).  Gojo is also a district in Kyoto

　　　　三日月宗近    Mikazuki Munechika  東京国立博物館蔵　Tokyo National Museum 　         Photo from “Showa Dai Mei-to Zufu 昭和大名刀図譜” published by NBTHK

Houki -no-Kuni (伯耆の国)

Houki-no-kuni is the area now called Tottori Prefecture.  It is known for producing high-quality iron.  The sword, “Doujigiri Yasutsuna” (童子切安綱), made by Hoki-no-yasutsuna (伯耆の安綱), was one of the most famous swords of its time.                                                                                                 

The characteristics of Yasutsuna’s sword ——- It has a graceful shape with a small kissaki, a narrow hamon (often suguha with ko-choji), coarse nie in the hamon area, and a large wood grain pattern mixed with masame on the ji-hada.  The hamon area often shows inazuma and kinsuji.  The boshi area is yakizume, and the kaen (pronounced ka as in calf, en as in engineer) has a slight turn back. 

　　　伯耆の安綱 (Hoki no Yasutsuna)　佐野美術館図録 (Sano Musem Catalogue)                     Permission to use granted 

Bizen Den (備前伝 )

Bizen is in Okayama Prefecture today.  It is known for producing high-quality iron.  From the Heian period to the present, Bizen has been famous for its sword-making tradition.  The sword-making group in this area during the Heian period was called the Ko-bizen group.  The most famous swordsmiths in the Ko-bizen group included Bizen Tomonari (備前友成), Bizen Masatsune (備前正恒), and Bizen Kanehira (備前包平).                                                                   

Ko-bizen group’s characteristics ———- A graceful, narrow body, a small kissaki, and a narrow-tempered line with ko-choji (small irregular) with inazuma and kin-suji.  The ji-hada displays a small wood-grain pattern.

　　　Bizen Kanehira (備前包平)　Sano Museum Catalogue (佐野美術館図録)                          (Permission to use granted)

I saw Ko-bizen Sanetsune (真恒) at Mori Sensei’s house.  That was one of the kantei-to of that day.  I received a dozen*ᴵ.  The book written by Hon’ami Koson was used as our textbook.  Each time I saw a sword at Mori Sensei’s house, I recorded the date next to the swordsmith’s name in the book we used.  It was Nov. 22, 1970.  It had a narrow body line, a small kissaki (Ko-bizen komaru), kamasu*2 (no fukura), and suguha.  Kamasu is a condition in which the fukura (arc) is much less than usual.  Looking back, it is amazing that we had the opportunity to study such famous swords as our study materials.

Kantei-Kai

Kantei-kai is a study meeting.  Usually, several swords are displayed, with the nakago area covered.  Attendees try to guess the sword maker’s name and submit their answer sheets to the judge.  Below are the grades.

Atari —– If your answer is the exact correct name, you get Atari. That is the best answer.

Dozen —— The second best is a dozen.  It means nearly a correct answer. The subject sword was made by the family or clan of the right den.   A dozen is considered very good.  It indicates that the student has solid knowledge of the particular group.

Kaido Yoshi —– This means it is correct regarding the line, but not about the family.

Jidai Yoshi — it means the time or period is correct.  Each Kantei-kai has its own grading system.  Some may not have a “Jidai Yoshi” grade.

Hazure——– the wrong answer. 

Once all answer sheets are submitted, they are graded and returned. The judge reveals the correct answer and explains why.

*1 Dozen:  Almost the same as the correct answer. *2 Kamasu:  A name of a fish that has a narrow, pointed head.

 

 

Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 9 | Middle Kamakura Period -- Yamashiro School

8| Middle Kamakura Period: Yamashiro Den （鎌倉中期山城伝）

        

0-timeline - size 24 Middle Kamakura                          The circle indicates the time we discuss in this section

The characteristics of Yamashiro Den swords

Sugata (shape)—– Generally, the blade is narrow, especially near the yokote line.  The bottom of the blade has funbari (an A-line shape).  Kasane is thick, and the curvature type is usually kyo-zori (the deepest curvature is around the middle).  It has a small kissaki with fukura.   Shinogi is thick, with gyo-no-mune or shin-no-mune.  Please refer to the three illustrations below for sugata.

13 Mune drawing

9 鎌倉中期刀姿

8 Fukura

Horimono (Engraving)—– The tip of a Hi (樋, groove) follows the exact shape of the Ko-shinogi line.  Sometimes you may see Bonj (Sanscrit) and Suken (see the illustration).

9 Hi, Suken, Bonji

Nakago (hilt: 中心) ——————–Long and thin with a slight curve.                                  Hamon (tempered line: 刃文) —————-Mostly suguha (straight line), niju-ba (double hamon), or suguha with an irregular wavy line.  Sometimes, a thin gold lightning-like line called inazuma appears faintly.  The tempered line is mostly nie.  Below is suguha.

 
豊後国行平(Bungo-no-Kuni-Yukihira)  Sano Museum Catalog permission granted

   * Bungo-no-Kuni-Yukihira was a Yamashiro Den swordsmith from the Bungo region.

Boshi(鋩子)——– Komaru-boshi (small round)   Omaru-boshi (large round)                    Ji-hada (地肌) ——-Well forged fine surface.  Small burl pattern.  Jinie (地沸) on the surface.

Names of the swordsmiths during the middle Kamakura period

  • Ayano-Koji group ———————————– Ayano-Koji Sadatoshi (綾小路 定利 )
  • Awataguchi group ————————————- Awataguchi kunitsuna (粟田口国綱)
  • Rai group ————————-Rai kuniyuki (来国行) Rai Nijikunitoshi (来ニ字国俊)

Rai Kunitoshi (来国俊)       Sano Museum Catalogue, Permission granted

 

 

Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 Uncategorized

5 |Heian Period Swords 　(平安時代太刀)

0-timeline - size 24 Heian

                       
                                      The circle indicates the time we discuss in this section

The Heian period is when the sword shape changed to the current curved form.  Before that, swords were straight.  It is widely accepted that the study of Japanese swords begins in the Heian period.   Swords made before the Heian period are considered archaeological artifacts.  The main reason is that sword-making techniques improved significantly after the start of the Heian period.

The elegant and graceful lifestyle of Heian culture is reflected in the style of swords.  A group of swordsmiths in the Kyoto region developed a specific sword style called Yamashiro-den (Yamashiro School).  The shape of their swords exhibits a graceful line.  The most famous sword of this period is Sanjo-Munechika (三条宗近 page 20), a national treasure today.  The Yamashiro-den represents the swords of the Heian period.                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                      6a Heian period sword style

General Heian period sword style

The shape —————The length of a sword is about 30 inches ± a few inches.  It has an elegant, graceful shape, with a narrow blade and a small kissaki (小切先).  The curvature is deep.  This style is called Kyo-zori (京反り) or Torii-zori (鳥居ぞり).  In the Kyo-zori style, the deepest part of the curvature is near the middle of the blade.  The lower part of the sword flares out, creating an A-line shape similar to the lower part of the Eiffel Tower.  This flared shape is called funbari （踏ん張り).                                                                      

6b A line bottom

Hamon(刃文)———- Hamon is the line formed during the process of tempering.  The hamon on Heian period swords is narrow and usually suguha (直刃).  Suguha means a straight line.  The hamon is also Nie-based.  Nie(沸) are tiny particles in the hamon.   As shown below, if you look closely, you can see fine sand-like particles within the hamon line.

6 Straigh tempered line(Suguha)

10 Nie & Nioi

Ji-hada (地肌) ——–Fine wood-grained pattern.  The location of ji-hada (or ji-tetsu) is between the hamon and shinogi (see Chapter 3 |Names of Parts).

Nakago (中心)——– The nakago is the hilt area.  Sword makers inscribed their names there. During the Heian period, the nakago was often shaped like a kijimomo (雉腿), meaning a pheasant’s thigh.

6 Kijimomo-nakago

Hi and engrave ———- Hi (樋) means an engraved straight line.  Hi and other engraved designs were rare during the Heian period.  These became more common later on.

Kissaki (切先) ———– The shape of kissaki on a Heian sword is ko-gissaki, meaning small kissaki. The hamon line at the kissaki is called boshi.  During this period, the type of boshi design is called komaru, meaning small, round, and wrapping around the tip.

Names of the Heian period swordsmiths

  • Yamashiro School——–  Sanjo Munechika(三条宗近) Sanjo Yoshiie(三条吉家）                                                 Gojo Kanenaga(五条兼長) Gojo Kuninaga (五条国永)
  • Yamato School ————-Senju-in (千手院)
  • Bizen School ————— Bizen Tomonari(備前友成) Bizen Masatsune(備前正恒)                                                  Bizen Kanehira (備前包平)
  • Hoki (伯耆) —————–  Yasutsuna (安綱) Sanemori (真守)
  • Buzen (豊前) ————–   Cho-en (長円) Sinsoku (神息)
  • Satsuma (薩摩) ———— Naminohira (波平)