Tag: Gomabashi

Chapter 50 is a detailed part of  Chapter 16, Late Kamakura Period Tanto (Early Soshu-Den).  Please read Chapter 16 before this section.

                     The red circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section.

In  Chapter 16, Late Kamakura Period Tanto (Early Soshu-Den), the general features of the late Kamakura period tanto style (early Soshu-den) are described.  The following two photos show the typical characteristics of early Soshu-den tanto.

Masamune

Goro Nyudo Masamune (五郎入道正宗) was born in Kamakura as the son of Tosaburo Yukimitu (藤三郎行光).  Today, Masamune is a well-known swordsmith, even among those unfamiliar with Japanese swords.  His father, Tosaburo Yukimitsu, was also among the top swordsmiths in early Soshu-den.  Masamune’s tomb is located at Honkaku-ji (本覚寺) Temple, about a 6-minute walk from Kamakura Station. 

Goro Nyudo Masamune (五郎入道正宗) Sano Museum Catalog （permission granted)

Masamune photo (above) —– Hira-zukuri (flat).  Sakizori is very slightly curved (the tip area curves slightly outward).  Bo-hi and tsure-hi (parallel thin grooves).  Komaru-boshi.  Itame-hada (wood grain pattern).  The Hamon is notare (wavy).  The illustration above shows sunagashi and niju-ba (double hamon).  This type of nakago is called tanago-bara.  The Masamune tanto is often mu-mei (unsigned). This particular tanto is called Komatsu Masamune (小松政宗).  The catalog from the Sano Museum’s description stated that connoisseurs in the past had difficulty determining this as a Masamune sword.  Because the wide mihaba with sori and hamon slightly differed from those of another Masamune.  Judging from the clear nie, chikei, and kinsuji, it was determined to be a Masamune tanto.

Enju Photo below

               Higo Province Enju Kunisuke from Sano Museum Catalog (permission granted)

The Enju (延寿) group lived in Higo (肥後) Province on Kyushu.  The characteristics of the Enju group closely resemble those of the Yamashiro-den because Enju Kunimura was related to Rai Kuniyuki, a member of the Yamashiro-den.

Enju (photo above) —-Hamon is hoso-suguha (straight temper line).  The boshi is komaru.  The front engraving is suken (above left photo, left side), and the engraving on the back is gomabashi (left photo, right side).  Tight itame ji-hada.  It can be confusing to kantei (determine who made the sword) a sword like this because, although it is from the late Kamakura period, it does not have the typical early Soshu-den appearance.

Masamune’s Tomb in Honkaku-ji Temple

Masamune’s (正宗) tomb is located inside Honkaku-ji Temple (本覚寺) in Kamakura.  Here is a map of Honkaku-ji Temple and the Masamune Kogei store in Kamakura.  The store is owned by Tsunahiro Yamamura, the 24^th generation of Masamune.  Honkaku-ji Temple is circled on the map, and the Masamune Kogei store is a red circle with an X.  Both are about a 6 to 7-minute walk from Kamakura Station. 

To reach to Honkaku-Ji Temple from Tokyo                                                                           Take the Yokosuka Line train from Tokyo Station (approx. one hour) → Get off at Kamakura Station (one stop after Kita-Kamakura) → Exit through the East Exit (front exit) → Walk straight and cross the street → Turn right and walk to the post office → Turn left at the post office (Honkaku-ji Temple sign is at the corner of the post office)

From Kamakura Tourist map

Honkakuji Temple (本覚寺) and Masamune Tomb (正宗墓 )