Hirazukuri Kowakizashi – Study of Japanese Sword

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.

0-timeline - size 24 Muromach

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

The Muromachi period was a relatively peaceful and prosperous time until shortly before the “Onin-no-ran,” which occurred at the end of the Muromachi period. Refer to Chapter 20, Muromachi Period History (室町時代歴史). The Nanboku-cho style long swords became outdated; as a result, they were shortened. The shortened blade is called suriage. Overall, the Muromachi period was a declining time for sword-making.

Tachi and Katana

Until the end of the Nanboku-cho period or the beginning of the Muromachi period, samurai wore swords suspended from their waists with the blade facing down. When a sword was worn this way, the swordsmith inscribed his name on the side facing outward, meaning the blade is on your right when you see the inscription. In this case, the sword is called a tachi.

During the Muromachi period, a sword was worn between the belt, with the blade facing up. The swordsmith inscribed his name so that it faced outward when it was worn. Therefore, when you see the inscription, the cutting edge is to your left. This is classified as a katana.

Around the beginning of the Muromachi period, samurai started to wear a pair of swords called dai-sho (大小), meaning large and small. The longer sword is a katana, and the shorter one is a wakizashi. In general, a tachi is longer than a katana. A katana is longer than a wakizashi, and a wakizashi is longer than a tanto. Here is the order of their lengths.

Tachi > Katana > Wakizashi > Tanto Tachi and katana differ in how they are worn, not in length.

O-suriage ( 大磨上: Katana shortened by great length)　

How much the sword should be shortened depends on its original length and how much the owner wants it shortened. O-suriage is a type of sword that is significantly shortened. Once the blade is shortened by that length, the inscription of the maker’s name is cut off. When the Hon’ami family (本阿弥家, a family of sword connoisseurs who have appraised Japanese swords for generations from the Muromachi period to today) appraises such a suriage sword, they write the make of the sword and the swordsmith’s name on the front side of the hilt, and the connoisseur’s name with his kaou (similar to a signature) on the back. There are several levels of writing. The level at which it should be done depends on the sword’s quality and the owner’s preference. Below is the order of levels (high to low).

Shu-Mei (朱明 )————————————————————-name written in Vermilion Kinpun-Mei (金粉名 )———————————————–name lacquered in gold powder Gin-Zougan (銀象嵌 )————————————————————name inlaid in silver Kin-Zougan (金象嵌 )————————————————————-name inlaid in gold

Sugata (姿: Shape) ——— The average length is typically two feet three to four inches (68~71cm). The shape of the Muromachi period katana is somewhat similar to that of the Heian period tachi. However, Muromachi katana are less grand or graceful than those from the Heian period swords. The curvature is usually of the koshizori style. Koshizori refers to the highest curvature being near the lower part of the blade. The length and shape are suitable for wearing between the body and the belt. The width and thickness are well-balanced with the size of the sword. Small kissaki.

22 Muromachi sword shape

Hirazukuri-Wakizashi ———– Hirazukuri refers to a flat surface without a shinogi or yokote line. Usually, it is 1 foot and 1 to 2 inches long. No curvature. Hirazukuri-wakizashi appeared during the Muromachi period.

Hamon (刃文: tempered line) ———————- Nioi base. The tempered area is well balanced with the blade’s width. Koshi-hiraita-midare is mixed with choji-midare.

22Hamon (Koshi Hiraita midare) — from Sano Museum Catalogue (permission granted)

Boshi (Tempered line at Kissaki area) ————– Midare-komi, a short turn back. See the above illustration. Midare is an irregular wave-like pattern.
Ji-hada (地肌: An area between the tempered line and Shinogi)- Soft look, a large wood grain pattern, Ji-utsuri (faint smoke or cloud-like effect) shows.
Horimono (彫物：Engravings) ———- Bo-hi (single groove), Soe-hi (a thin groove alongside the main hi), Futasuji-hi (double narrow groove), Sanskrit, Tokko-tsuki ken, Tsume-tsuki Ken, name of God, and dragon. Carvings became elaborate.