Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 9| «Part 2» Middle Kamakura Period Yamashiro Den, Uncategorized

41| Part 2 of — 8 Middle Kamakura Period: Yamashiro Den 鎌倉中期山城伝

This chapter is a detailed part of Chapter 8| Middle Kamakura Period –Yamashiro Den（鎌倉中期山城伝).   Please read Chapter 8 before reading this chapter.

0-timeline - size 24 Middle Kamakura

　　　　 　The red circle indicates the time we discuss in this section

During the middle Kamakura period, the Yamashiro–den consisted of 3 main groups: the Ayano-koji (綾小路) group, the Awataguchi (粟田口) group, and the Rai (来) group.

When referring to a specific group, we use terms like “xxx ha,” “xxx ippa,” or “xxx ichimon.”   We use these three terms interchangeably.  They all mean “group.”   For example, when we say “Ayano-koji ippa,” we refer to the Ayano-koji group.

Ayano-koji Ippa (綾小路)

Sugata (shape) —————–Generally, a gentle or graceful kyo-zori shape.  The difference in width between the yokote line and the machi is minimal.  The sword is slender, yet thick, with a small kissaki.                                                                                                                      　　　

Hi and Engraving ———————– Bo-hi (single groove) or futasuji-hi (double grooves) 

Hamon ——————— Nie base with ko-choji (small clove shape) and ko-midare (small irregular).  Small inazuma (lightning-like lines) and kinsuji (golden streaks) may be present.   Double ko-choji (two ko-choji side by side) may appear.   

Boshi (tempered line at the kissaki area) ———————– Ko-maru (small round), yakizume (see the illustration below ), and kaen (flame-like pattern)   

Ji-hada —————– Small wood grain with a little masame (straight grain).  Ji-nie shows. 

Nakago (hilt) ———————— Long, slightly thick feel  

Ayano-koji Ippa swordsmiths ———-Ayano-koji Sadatoshi (綾小路定利)  Sadanori (定則）        

Awataguchi Ichimon (粟田口)

Many swordsmiths from the Awataguchi Ichimon (or Awataguchi group) were honored as the Goban Kaji (the top swordsmith) by Gotoba Joko, Emperor Gotoba (後鳥羽上皇).  Their general characteristics are as follows.

Sugata (Shape) ————————- Elegant torii-zori (or kyo-zori) shape.     

Hi and Engraving ————– The tip of the hi extends all the way up and fills in the ko-shinogi.   The end of the hi can be maru-dome (the end is round), kaku-dome (the end is square), or kakinagashi.

 

9 «part 2» 大小丸,焼詰,丸角止, 掻流   　　

              Maru-dome (rounded end)             Kaku-dome (square)          Kakinagashi

  • Hamon ———— The slightly wider tempered line at the bottom, then it becomes narrower at the top.  Nie base (called Nie-hon’i).  A straight tempered line mixed with ko-choji (small cloves) or a wide straight line combined with choji.  Awataguchi-nie appears.  Awataguchi-nie, which refers to a fine, deep, sharp, shiny nie that appears around the tempered line area. Fine inazuma (lightning-like lines) and kinsuji (golden streaks) emerge.

  • Boshi (tempered line at the tip area) —————— Ko-maru (small round)  and/or O-maru (large round).   The return is sharrow.  Yakizume, Nie Kuzure, and Kaen (flame)9-«part-2»-大小丸焼詰丸角止-掻流-1-e1547925390685.jpg

       Yakizume 　　　　　O-maru　　　　　Ko-maru　　     　 Yakikuzure

  • Ji-hada ————– Fine ko-mokume (wood swirls) with ji-nie.  Ji-nie is nie on ji-hada. Yubashiri and/or chikei appear.                                                                               
  • Nakago ——————————– Often featuresa two-letter inscription
  • Names of Awataguchi swordsmiths —– Awataguchi Kunitomo (粟田口国友 ),  Hisakuni (久国), Kuniyasu (国安),  Kuniyasu (国安), Kunikiyo (国清)

 Rai Ha (来)

The general characteristics of the Rai group are as follows.  However, each swordsmith has their own unique traits.

Sugata (shape) ——– Graceful and dignified.  Thick body.  Rai forged Ikubi Kissaki.         Hi and Engravings ————————- Wide and shallow hi.                                      Hamon ————————- Nie base.  Suguha (straight).  Wide suguha with ko-midare (small irregular) and choji (cloves).  Sometimes, there is a large choji at the lower part and a narrow suguha at the top.  Inazuma and Kinsuji appear around the yokote area.      Boshi ————————————- Komaru, yakizume (see the illustration above)            Ji-hada ——————— Finely forged itame (small wood grain).  Sometimes mixed with masame (parallel grain).  Fine nie.  Rai group’s swords occasionally show yowai tetsu (weak surface), which may be the core iron.    

Rai Ha swordsmiths———————- Rai Kuniyuki (来国行),  Rai Kunitoshi (来国俊) or Niji Kunitoshi (二字国俊),  Ryokai (了戒 ).  Rai Kunitoshi is said to be the son of Rai Kuniyuki. Ryokai is said to be the son of Rai Kunitoshi.

img017

    Rai Kuniyuki (来国行）Once my family sword, photo taken by my father with his  writing.    
9 «part 2» Rai Kuniyuki photo.jpg       Rai Kuniyuki hamon
 
Rai Kuniyuki (来国行）Sano Museum Catalogue (佐野美術館)  (permission granted)

Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 16 The revival of Yamato School, Uncategorized

15| The Revival of Yamato Den（大和伝復活）

0-timeline - size 24 Late Kamakura

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

It is believed that sword-making first started in Yamato province (now Nara Prefecture) during the Nara period (710 to 794).  In the early days of sword-making, the forging techniques were primitive.  At that time, many swordsmiths lived in Yamato, but over time, sword-making in this region declined.

At the end of the Kamakura period, several powerful Buddhist temples emerged in the Yamato area, leading to conflicts among them.  Temples held significant political and military power to control large territories called shoen (荘園) through their large numbers of warrior monks, known as sohei (僧兵).  The most dominant group was Nanto Sohei (南都僧兵)*.  These groups of sohei demanded more swords to arm themselves, which revitalized the Yamato-den (school) and increased the number of swordsmiths in the Yamato area.   As a result, the Yamato-den group became active again.  The Yamato-den style is somewhat similar to the Yamashiro-den.    

*Nanto Sohei (南都僧兵)—————-Since around the 11th century, Buddhist temples grew powerful under the protection of the Joko (retired emperors).  These temples had many sohei (low-level monks who also served as soldiers). When power struggles arose among the temples, sohei fought as their soldiers on the battlefields.  Nanto Sohei were such soldiers at Kofuku-Ji Temple (興福寺).  Several large temples, such as Todai-ji (東大寺) Temple, controlled the Yamato area.

Sugata (姿: Shape) —————- Not much difference in style during the early part of Yamato–den and Yamashiro-den.  Shinogi is high.  Mune is thin.   Some Yamato-den have a shallow sori (curvature).

16 Yamato sword cross section

Hamon (刃文：Tempered line) ——————Narrow tempered line.  Mainly nie (沸).  Chu-suguha-hotsure (中直刃ほつれ: a medium straight line with a frayed pattern), ko-choji-midare (小丁子: a mixture of small clove-like patterns and irregular wavy lines), ko-midare (小乱: small irregular wavy lines), ko-gunome-komidare (小五の目小乱: small continuous half-circles mixed with wavy lines). 

The main features of the Yamato–den style sword are masame (straight grain).  Its tempered line often shows nijyu-ha (double straight lines), hakikake (brush mark trace), uchinoke (a crescent-shaped line), or a combination of these.   See the illustration below.

 

Boshi (鋩子: Tempered line at Kissaki area) ———- In the boshi area, a straight grain hamon pattern appears.  Yakizume or kaen. (Refer to Chapter 12, Middle Kamakura period: Tanto).  O-maru, ko-maru, nie-kuzure.  (Refer to Chapter 14, Late Kamakura Period Sword.  See the illustration below.)

                                 

15 Omaru Komaru Niekuzure

Ji-hada (地肌)：Area between the shinogi and the tempered line)———— mostly masame-hada (straight grain pattern 柾目肌). Fine ji-nie, chikei, or yubashiri.  (Refer to Chapter 14, Late Kamakura Period Sword (鎌倉末太刀).  See below.)

16 Masame Hada

Nakago (Hilt) ———————– Often displays Higaki Yasuri (檜垣), the finishing file pattern, as illustrated below. 

16 Higaki Yasuri

Names of the Yamato School Sword-smiths

Taema(当麻) Group————–Taema Kuniyuki(当麻国行)　Taema Tomokiyo(当麻友清) Shikkake (尻懸) Group———————————————-Shikkake Norinaga (尻懸則長) Tegai (手掻) group ——————Tegai Kanenaga (手掻包永) Tegai Kanekiyo(手掻包清) Hoshou (保昌) group———Hosho Sadayoshi ( 保昌貞吉) Hosho Sadamune (保昌貞宗)

Yamato Senjuin Saya Enso (大和千手院沙弥円宗)  once my family sword

Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 15|Late Kamakura period

14| Late Kamakura Period Sword (鎌倉末太刀)

0-timeline - size 24 Late Kamakura

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

The beginning of the Soshu style

A new sword style called Soshu-den appeared after the Mongolian invasion during the later part of the Kamakura period.  The Kamakura region became prosperous under the rule of the Hojo family (北条).  Many swordsmiths moved to Kamakura.  These included the Kunitsuna group (国綱)  from the Yamashiro area and Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukezane (福岡一文字助真) and Kunimune (国宗) from the Bizen area.  They are the originators of Soshu-den (相州伝).  A well-known swordsmith, Goro-Nyudo-Masamune (五郎入道正宗), emerged during this time.

15 Soshu sword with explanation

Sugata (Shape 姿) ——- O–kissaki (large kissaki: 大切先) and chu-kissaki (medium kissaki: 中切先).   The tip of the hi ends lower (see the illustration below).  Hamaguri– ha is no longer in style.  The body has become thinner.  The original length was approximately three feet or longer, but most were later shortened to two feet, three inches, or four inches.  The shortened sword is called o-suriage (大磨上).

15 Kissak shape of 4

14 Hi end lower

Hamon——————–Ｎarrow Hamon and wide Hamon.     

Narrow Hamon ——- A mix of Suguha (straight),  Ko-choji (small clove-like pattern), and Ko-gunome (small half-circle pattern).  Small Nie base. (shown below)

10 Nie & Nioi

Wide Hamon ——– Notare midare (wavy).  O-gunome.  Nie base.  Ashi-iri (short line toward the blade, the right drawing below). Inazuma (lightning-like line) or kinsuji (bright line) may appear on a tempered line.  However, inazuma and kinsuji require trained eyes to detect.  It is difficult for beginners to see inazuma or kinsuji.  

15 Late Kamakura Soshu Hamon

Boshi————The main body and boshi have the same type of hamon.  At the tip of the kissaki, angle it back slightly or yakizume.  You might also see o-maru (large round), ko-maru (small round), kaen (flame-like), or nie-kuzure.  Yakizume and kaen (Chapter 12).

15 three boshi name

Ji-hada (between the shinogi and the tempered line) ——-Strong ji-nie (地沸), which are sand-like small dots appearing on the ji (between the tempered line and the mune).  Yubashiri (a cluster of ji-nie), kinsuji (a bright, radiant line formed by nie), inazuma (a lightning-like irregular line), or chikei (similar to kinsuji) may appear on the ji-hada.

15 Yubashiri, Chikei, Inazuma

Late Kamakura Period Soshu School Sword Smiths

From Bizen————–Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukezane (福岡一文字助真) Kunimune (国宗 )   From Yamashiro ————————————–Toroku- Sakon- Kunituna (藤六左近国綱) 

The three swordsmiths mentioned above originated the Soshu-den (school) in Kamakura.  Later, Tosaburo Yukimitu and his son, the famous Goro Nyudo Masamune, emerged.

More  Soshu Den swordsmiths other than above

From Yamashiro (山城)———- Rai Kunitsugu (来国次), Hasebe Kunishige (長谷部国重) From Etchu (越中) province ———————Gou- no-Yoshihiro (郷義弘) Norishige (則重) From   Mino (美濃) province ——————————————-Kaneuji (兼氏) Kinjyu (金重) From   Chikuzen (筑前) province —————————————————-Samoji (左文字)

Goro Nyudo Masamune (正宗): his hamon is like ocean waves. (Sano Museum permission granted)        

Masamune  (政宗）                                          Yoshioka Ichimonji （吉岡一文字）

Once owned by my family

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 13 Tanto(dagger) Middle Kamakura Period

12| The Middle Kamakura Period: Tanto (Dagger 鎌倉中期短刀）

0-timeline - size 24 Middle Kamakura

The red circle indicates the area we discuss in this chapter 

It is rare to find a tanto (短刀 dagger) made during the Heian period.  During the middle Kamakura period, many high-quality tanto were produced.  They were called takenoko-zori shaped tanto, with “takenoko” meaning bamboo shoot.  The back of the tanto curves inward slightly.

 

                              Middle Kamakura Period                                                                                                      Yamashiro School Tanto

12Tanto drawing Mid Kamakur

Sugata (shape)———-Hirazukuri.  This means there is no shinogi, no yokote line.  See the illustration above.  The standard tanto length is approximately ten inches.  The width is neither too wide nor too narrow, making it well-proportioned.  The body is slightly thick.  High gyo-no-mune (行の棟) and shin-no-mune (真の棟).　

13 Mune drawing

Hamon (刃文) ——————— The tempered area is narrow.  Nie base.  Suguha-midare (a straight-line pattern with an irregular wavy shape) or suguha-choji (a straight-line pattern with small choji).  The tempered edge line may display a frayed pattern.

Boshi(tempered line at Kissaki area) ———Yakizume,   Kaen,   Nie-kuzure.

13 Hamon and Hi

Engravings (彫刻) ———- Often, various types of engravings are applied to the lower part of the body.   These may include one or two grooves, Sanskrit, suken (spear), dragon, etc.  For the Sanskrit and spear, refer to the illustration in Chapter 8.

13 Hamon and Hi

Tanto Swordsmiths in the Middle Kamakura Period

Awataguchi group(粟田口)———————————Awataguchi Yoshimitu (粟田口吉光)  Rai group (来) ——————————————————————-Rai Kunitoshi(来国俊)  Soushu Group  (相州) ——————————————Shintougo Kunimitu (新藤五国光)  Bizen group (備前) —————————————————— Bizen Kagemitu (備前景光) Bungo no Kuni Group (豊後の国) ——————–Bungo-no-kuni Yukihira (豊後の国行平)

                          来国光（Rai Kunimitsu）

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