Gunome – Study of Japanese Sword

September 2, 2019July 12, 2021 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 continued part of chapter 28 Shin-to Main 7 Regions (part B). Please read chapter 28 before reading this chapter. Below are the regions 3,7.

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 find many famous swordsmiths in Edo also. 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).

65 Yasutsugu photo Yasutsugu From Sano Museum Catalogue. Permission granted to use

Characteristics of Yasutusgu (康継) ——- shallow curvature; Chu-gissaki (medium Kissaki); Hamon of wide Notare, Midare, or O-gunome (sometimes double Gunome); a trace of Soshu Den and Mino Den; and woodgrain pattern mixed with Masame on Shinogi-ji.

65 Kotetsu photo 65 kotetu illustration Kotetsu (虎徹) from Sano Museum Catalogue, (permission granted to use)

Here is the famous Kotetsu. His formal name was Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu (長曽祢興里入道虎徹). Kotetsu began to make swords after he passed 50 years old. Before that, he was an armor maker.

The characteristics of Kotetsu ———————– shallow curvature and wide width, wide tempered line with Nie. Small irregular Hamon at about the Machi area, becoming wide Suguha like Notare at the upper area. Fine Nie, Komaru–boshi with a short turn back. Ji-hada is fine wood grain and burl. Sometimes, you see O-hada (black core iron show through) at the lower part above the Machi area. The illustration above shows a thick tempered line with Nie, which is the typical Kotetsu’s characteristic. Once you see it, you will remember it. The next region is 7, skipping 4, 5, and 6.

Satsuma (Kyushu)

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

Miyahara Mondonosho Masakiyo was highly regarded by the Shimazu family of Satsuma Han (Satsuma domain in Kyushu). Later he was chosen to go 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 Aoi crest (the hollyhock crest of the Tokugawa family) on Nakago.

July 22, 2019May 25, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 61| Part 2 of --- 25|Sengoku Period Tanto (1467 - 1596), Uncategorized

58|Part 2 of — 24 Sengoku Period Tanto (戦国時代短刀)

Chapter 58 is a Continued part of chapter 24|Sengoku Period Tanto (戦国時代). Please read chapter 24|Sengoku Period Tanto (戦国時代) before reading this section.

0-timeline - size 24 Sengoku Period

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

Muramasa (村正)

The discussion of this chapter is about the famous Muramasa (村正). Usually, many well-known swordsmiths were from one of the Goka Den (五家伝: The primary five schools: Yamashiro Den, Bizen Den, Soshu Den, Yamato Den, and Mino Den). However, Muramasa was not from the Goka Den but Ise Province. The first generation Muramasa was known as a student of He’ian-jo Nagayoshi (平安城長吉) of Yamashiro Den. The Muramasa family lived through the mid-Muromachi period. They had three generations from the mid-Muromachi period to the Sengoku period.

61 Ise map

Here is one of Muramasa’s Tanto that was made during the Sengoku period. Since this is the Sengoku period Tanto, the blade shows the Sengoku period sword style. It shows Mino Den characteristics, with the Soshu Den Characteristics added.

61 Muramasa photo 61 Muramasa illustration Muramasa (村正) from Sano Museum Catalogue (permission granted)

Characteristics on this Tanto

Muramasa’s Tantos are often 10 inches ± half inches or so. Hirazukuri (平作り). Thin blade with a sharp look. Nioi base with small Nie and Sunagashi (brushed sand-like patterns, the illustration below) appears. Boshi (the top part of Hamon) is Jizo (a side view of a human’s head). The tempered line has wide areas and narrow areas. Some areas are so narrow, close to the edge of the blade, while others are broad. Hako midare (box-like shape) and Gunome (lined-up beads pattern) appear. O-notare (large gentle waviness) is a Muramasa’s signature characteristic. The pointed tempered line is a typical Mino Den characteristic (Sanbon-sugi). Refer to 23| Sengoku Period Sword(戦国時代刀）and 24| Sengoku Period Tanto (戦国時代短刀).

61 Sunagashi 2

Sunagashi (Brushed sand-like trace. My drawing is exaggerated)

July 15, 2019June 6, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 60| Second Part of ---24 Sengoku Period Sword

57| Part 2 of — 23 Sengoku Period Sword (戦国時代刀)

Chapter 57 is a detailed part of Chapter 23, Sengoku Period Sword. Please read Chapter 23 Sengoku period sword before reading this section.

0-timeline - size 24 Sengoku Period

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

During the Sengoku period (Warring States time), the Mino Den group and Bizen Osafune group were the primary sword makers. During almost 100 years of the Warring States period, all Daimyos needed a large number of swords. If suppliers were closer, that was even better. Many Sengoku Daimyos (戦国大名: warlord) could reach the Mino area easily because the location was convenient. Since the Heian period, Mino swordsmiths were creating swords there.

One of the well-known swordsmiths of Mino Den at the end of the Kamakura period was Shizu Kane’uji (志津兼氏). He was one of the Masamune Jitteru (正宗十哲)*. But the real height for the Mino Den was the Sengoku period. During the Sengoku period, the Shizu group and the Tegai group from the Yamato area and many swordsmiths from Yamashiro (Kyoto) area moved to Mino. Mino became the busiest sword-making place. They made very practical swords for the Sengoku (Warring States Period) feudal lords.

*Masamune Juttetsu (正宗十哲) —–The original meaning of Masamuren Jittetsu was the top 10 Masamune students. However, later, this word was used more broadly. Masamune Jittetsu (正宗十哲)：https://www.touken-world.jp/tips/7194/

Three examples of Sengoku period swords

Three swords below are examples of the Sengoku period swords. Please note that every sword is different. Even each swords made by the same swordsmith is different. Please refer to Chapter 23 Sengoku Period Sword for the primary common characteristics of the sword made during the Sengoku period,

60 Sukesada illustration

Bizen Osafune Yosozaemon Sukesada (備前国住長船与三左衛門尉祐定) from Sano Museum Catalog (permission granted).

Characteristis on the sword above

Hamon is Kani-no-tsume (crab claw pattern, see above Hamon). Kani-no-tsume pattern hamon never appeared in the Heian, Kamakura, or Nanboku-cho period. This type of Hamon is one of the decisive points to determine as a Sengoku Period sword. Marudome-hi (the end of the groove is round ) often appears on the Bizen Den sword during the Sengoku period. Wide tempered area. Midare-komi Boshi (Hamon on the body and the Boshi is the same type) has a long turn-back and an abrupt stop. Hamon is the Nioi base. Most Bizen swords have Nioi, with a few exceptions.

60 Kanesada photo 60 kanesada illustration Izuminokami Fujiwara Kanesada (和泉守藤原兼㝎)　from Sano Museum Catalog

Characteristic on the sword above

The last letter of the Kanji (Chinese characters) of the swordsmith’s name above is “㝎.” We use this uncommon letter in place of common “ 定” for him. The reason is there are two Kanesada. To distinguish him from the other Kanesada (兼定), we instead use the letter “㝎 “ and call him Nosada “のさだ.”

Izuminokami Fujiwara Kanesada (AKA Nosada) is the top swordsmith of Mino Den at the time. The sword’s shape is the typical Sengoku period style: shallow curvature, Chu-gissaki (medium size Kissaki), and pointed Gunome Hamon. The width of the Hamon is wide and narrow. Often, Nosada and other Mino Den swordsmiths have wood grain patterns with Masame on Ji-hada. Nioi base, mixed with coarse Nie.

60 Norimitsu photo Bizen Osafune NorimitsTu (備前長船法光) from Sano Museum Catalog, permission granted.

Characteristic on the sword above

Shallow curvature. Sturdy look. Marudome-hi (Hi ends round). Pointed Hamon called Togari-ba (尖り刃). Nioi base mixed with Nie. Slight Masame and wood grain pattern on Ji-hada.

June 25, 2019May 25, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 58｜Part 2 of ----- 22| Muromachi Period Sword (室町時代), Uncategorized

55 |Part 2 of —–21 Muromachi Period Sword (室町時代刀)

Chapter 55 is the detailed part of chapter 21|Muromachi Period Sword. Please read Chapter 21 before reading this section.

57 Muromach-timeline size 22

The circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section

After the Muromachi period, swords changed to Katana(刀) from Tachi (太刀), as described in chapter 21 Muromachi Period Sword. Refer to 21| Muromachi Period Sword (室町時代刀) . By the end of the Nanboku-cho period, the swords’ length became shorter to approximately 2 feet ± a few inches. The 3-to-5 feet long swords seen in the Nanboku-cho period were no longer created. The reason was that, during the Nanboku-cho period, warriors fought mostly riding horses, but after the Muromachi time, infantry fighting became more common.

Oei Bizen (応永備前) The pronunciation of Oei is“O as Oh” and “ei as A of ABC.” The Muromachi period was the declining time in sword making. The swords made during the early Muromachi period in the Bizen area were called Oei Bizen. Osafune Morimitsu (長船盛光), Osafune Yasumitsu (長船康光), Osafune Moromitsu (長船師光) were the main Oei Bizen swordsmiths. Soshu Hiromasa (相州広正)、Yamashiro Nobukuni (山城信國) were also similar to the Oei Bizen style. Please refer to 21| Muromachi Period Sword (室町時代刀) for Muromachi sword shape, Hamon, Boshi, and Ji-hada.

57 Moromitsu photo (必要分　 57 Moromitus Oshigata

Bishu Osafune Moromitsu (備州長船師光) from Sano Museum Catalogue ((permission granted)

The above Osafune Moromitsu sword is 2 feet 5 inches long with medium Kissaki. The Hamon has a small wave-like pattern with continuous Gunome (a lined half-circles). The Boshi area shows irregular waviness with a slightly pointed tip. Very faint Bo-utsuri (soft shadow shaped like a strip of wood) shows on Ji-hada. Bo-utsuri is a distinctive characteristic among all of the Oei Bizen.

Before the Muromachi period, there had been many swordsmith groups in the Bizen area, but by the Muromachi time began, Osafune (長船) was the only remaining active group.

Osafune (長船) is the name of a region, but it became the last name of the swordsmiths during the Muromachi time. Two other well-known swordsmiths among the Oei Bizen were Osafune Morimitsu (盛光) and Osafune Yasumitsu (康光). The Hamon by Morimitsu and Yasumitsu shows more work than that of the sword in the photo above. Chapter 21| Muromachi Period Sword (室町時代刀) shows the Hamon by Morimitsu and Yasumitsu, also describes typical characteristics of the swords in the Muromachi period.

Hirazukuri Ko-Wakizashi Tanto

58 Hirazukuri Ko-Wakizashi Tanto

Hirazukuri Ko-Wakizashi Tanto Shape

Hirazukuri Ko-wakizashi Tanto was the trendy style during the early Muromachi time. Swordsmiths in different areas created the Tantos like the one above. But majorities of this types were made by Oei Bizen swordsmiths.

The characteristic of the Hirazukuri ko-wakizashi Tanto ——— Usually 1 foot and 1 or 2 inches long. No Yokote line, no Shinogi, and no Sori (no curvature, straight back). Average thickness. Narrow width. Gyo-no-mune (refer 12| The Middle Kamakura Period Tanto）

13 Mune drawing

Hirazukuri Ko-wakizashi Tanto often shows many engravings. Hi with Soe-hi (parallel double line, wide and narrow side by side ), Tokko-tsuki-ken, Tsume-tsuki-ken, Bonji, etc.

9 Hi, Suken, Bonji 20 Tokko, tume Ken 58 tsumetukiken and Hi

*drawings from “Nihonto no Okite to Tokucho” by Honami Koson

June 10, 2019May 25, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 56| Nanboku-Cho Tanto (南北朝短刀）, Uncategorized

53| Part 2 of — 19 Nanboku-cho Period Tanto (南北朝短刀)

This chapter is a continued part of chapter 19. Please read 19 |Nanboku-Cho Period Tanto（南北朝短刀), before reading this section.

0-timeline - size 24 Nanboku-cho

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

20 Enbun Jyoji Kowakizashi Tanto

The drawing above is a typical shape of the Nanboku-cho time Tanto. This drawing was in chapter 19. This drawing exaggerates the form of the Enbun Joji Kowakizashi tanto. At the end of Chapter 19 | Nanboku-Cho Tanto（南北朝短刀）, there is a list of swordsmiths’ names in the period. Hiromitsu (広光) and Akihiro (秋広) represent the most common characteristics of Nanboku-cho Tanto.

56 cropped Hiromitu photo 20 Hitatsura

Hiromitsu From Sano Museum Catalogue (permission to use granted granted)

Enbun Joji Ko-wakizashi Tanto is also called Sun-nobi Tanto (>10 inches) because the length is longer than standard size (approx. 10 inches) Tanto. The top part of the Tanto bends outward slightly. This type of shape is called Sakizori.

Characteristics of Hiromitu (広光) and Akihiro (秋広)

Shape———————— Usually, one foot and one to two inches long (Sun-nobi). Wide width. The blade is thin. Sakizori.
Hamon ———————-Wide Hamon and narrow Hamon are mixed. Hamon around Yakidashi (right above Machi) area is narrow, but it gets wider gradually as it goes up. Hamon around the Fukura area is the showiest. Mainly Nie. Sunagashi, Kinsuji, Gunome, Umanoha-midare (horse teeth shape Hamon), or Hitatsura appear (above drawing).
Boshi———–Irregular, unevenly tempered. Hamon covers almost entire Boshi. Deep turn back.
Jihada ———————————————————Wood-grained pattern
Nakago —————–Tanago-bara shape. Refer to 19 Nanboku-cho Period Tanto.

Nobukuni (Below is my sword)

Shodai Nobukuni (the first generation Nobukuni) was a student of Sadamune. He was one of the Sadamune San Tetsu (貞宗三哲, Sadamune’s top three students). Nobukuni’s characteristics were similar to those of Hiromitsu’s and Akihiro’s described above. Nobukuni also created Sun-nobi Tanto. The sword below has a Hoso-suguha, Ko-mokume (small burl pattern), Ko-maru Boshi (small round).

56 Nobukuni 1 Nobukuni4

56 Nobukuni 2

This is the certification of my sword. Shodai Nobukuni (初代信國). Juyo Token (重要刀剣)

Certification

number Juyo 3220, Certification Juyo-Token

Wakizashi: Nobukuni (信国), 31.4cm length, 0.3cm curvature, Hirazukuri, Mitsumune (three-sided Mune), Sun-nobi, Ji-hada is wood grain and Ji-nie (nie on the surface between Shinogi and Hamon), Hamon is Chu-suguha (medium straight), Front carving shows Bonji (Sanscrit), Sanko-ken, back engraving is Bonji and Hoko (pike). Original Nakago. The examination by the Nihon Bijutu Token Hozon Kyokai. It is certified as Juyo Token. The Chairman Moritatu Hosokawa. Showa 45 June 1 (1970 June 1)

April 13, 2019May 25, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 51| Part 2 of ----- 16 The Revival of Yamato-Den, Uncategorized

49| Part 2 of — 15 The Revival of Yamato Den (大和伝復活)

This chapter is a continued part of Chapter 15|The Revival of Yamato Den. Please read chapter 15 before reading this section.

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

At the end of the Kamakura period, in the Yamato area, powerful temples expanded their territories. See the map below for the location of the Yamato area. Several big temples, especially those with large territories, had political and military power to control the area at the end of the Kamakura period. Those big territories were called Shoen (荘園). They employed a large number of monk soldiers called So-hei. The demand for swords was increased by the increased number of Sohei (僧兵). The increased demand revived the Yamato Den.

Some of the prominent temples had their own swordsmiths within their territory. Todaiji Temple (東大寺) backed Tegai (手掻) sword group. The Senjuin (千手院 ) sword group lived near Senju-do (千手堂) where Senju Kannon (千手観音) was enshrined. The name of the sword group, Taima came from the Taima-ji Temple (当麻寺). Shikkake group (尻懸) and Hosho group (保昌) were also Yamato Den sword groups. Those five groups are called Yamato Goha (Yamato five groups).

51 Japan map Yamato

General Characteristic of Yamato Den

Yamato Den (大和伝) sword always shows Masame (柾目: straight grain-like pattern) somewhere on Ji-hada, Jigane, or Hamon. Refer to 15| The Revival of Yamato Den（大和伝復活） for the general characteristic. Masame is sometimes mixed with Mokume (burl like pattern) or Itame (wood-grain like). Either way, Yamato Den shows Masame somewhere. Some swords show Masame on the entire body, and some show less. Because of Masame, the Hamon tends to show Sunagashi (brush stroke-like pattern) or a double line called Niju-ha.

Taima (or Taema) group (当麻)

Shape ———————– Middle Kamakura period shape and Ikubi-kissaki style
Hamon ———–Mainly medium Suguha. Double Hamon. Suguha mixed with Choji. Often shows Inazuma and Kinsuji, especially Inazuma appear under the Yokote line.
Boshi ————————- Often Yakizume. Refer Yakizume on 15| The Revival of Yamato Den（大和伝復活）
Ji-hada ——————– Small wood grain pattern and well-kneaded surface. At the top part of the sword, the wood grain pattern becomes Masame.

Shikkake Group (尻懸)

Shape —————- Late Kamakura period shape. Refer 14| Late Kamakura Period: Sword (鎌倉末太刀)
Hamon ————————- Mainly Nie (we say Nie-hon’i). Medium frayed Suguha, mixed with small irregular and Gunome (half-circle like pattern). Double-lined, brush stroke-like Pattern may appear. Small Inazuma and Kinsuji may show.
Boshi ———————— Yakizume, Hakikake (bloom trace like pattern) and Ko-maru (small round)
Ji-hada ———- Small burl mixed with Masame. The Shikkake group sometimes shows Shikkake-hada, the Ha side shows Masame and the mune side shows burl.

Tegai Group ( 手掻 )

Shape —— Early Kamakura shape and thick Kasane (body). High Shinogi. Koshizori.
Hamon ————- Narrow tempered line with medium Suguha hotsure (frayed Suguha). Mainly Nie. Double tempered line. Inazuma and Kinsuji appears.
Boshi ————————————— Yakizume (no turn back), Kaen (flame like).
Ji-Hada ————————————————— Fine burl mixed with Masame.

Tegai Kanenaga of Yamato. From Sano Museum Catalogue (permission granted). The illustration (called Oshigata) shows Notare (wave-like Hamon) and Suguha-hotsure (frayed Suguha) with kinsuji.

Below is my Yamato sword. I obtained this sword at an Annual San Francisco swords show a few years back.

Characteristics: Munei (shortened and no signature). Yamato Den, Tegai-ha (Yamato school Tegai group). Length is two shaku two sun eight &1/2 bu (27 1/4 inches): very small kissaki and funbari.

My Yamato sword

The entire view of the sword and Kantei-sho (NBTHK Certification). The ranking is “Tokubetsu Hozon Token”.

My Yamato sword 5

My Yamato sword 4

My Yamato sword.jpg 2

In Hamon, Sunagashi, Niju-ba shows very faintly. My photo of Boshi is not good, but it looks like Yakizume. Ji–hada is Itame with Masame, almost Nashiji-hada (possibly because of my eyes). Nie-hon’i. Please ignore the cloth pattern underneath reflecting on the blade.