Masame – Study of Japanese Sword

September 2, 2019December 12, 2025 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)

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.

July 15, 2019December 10, 2025 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 section of Chapter 23, Sengoku Period Sword. Please read Chapter 23, Sengoku Period Sword, before reading this part.

0-timeline - size 24 Sengoku Period

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

During the Sengoku period (Warring States era), the Mino-den and Bizen Osafune groups were the leading sword makers. For nearly 100 years during the Warring States period, all daimyo needed numerous swords. Having suppliers nearby was more advantageous. Many Sengoku daimyo (戦国大名: warlords) could easily access the Mino region because of its central location. Since the Heian period, Mino swordsmiths have been producing 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 juttettu (正宗十哲)*. However, the true peak of the Mino-den came during the Sengoku period. During the Sengoku period, the Shizu and Tegai groups from the Yamato region, and swordsmiths from the Yamashiro area, moved to Mino. Mino became the busiest center for sword-making, producing practical swords for feudal lords.

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

Three examples of Sengoku period swords

The three swords listed below are examples of swords from the Sengoku period. Note that each sword is unique. Even when the same swordsmith forged swords, each one is different. Please refer to Chapter 23, Sengoku Period Sword, for the key characteristics of swords made during the Sengoku period.

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 the hamon above). The Kani-no-tsume pattern hamon never appeared during the Heian, Kamakura, or Nanboku-cho periods. This type of hamon is one of the key factors in determining whether a sword is from the Sengoku Period. Marudome-hi (the end of the groove is rounded) often appears on Bizen-den swords during the Sengoku period. Wide tempered area. The midare-komi boshi (where the hamon on the body and the boshi share the same pattern) has a long turn-back that stops abruptly. The hamon has a nioi base, and most Bizen swords feature nioi, though a few exceptions exist.

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

Characteristic on the sword above

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

Izuminokami Fujiwara Kanesada (AKA Nosada) was the leading swordsmith of Mino-den during that time. The sword’s shape is typical of the Sengoku period: shallow curvature, a chu-gissaki (medium-sized kissaki), and a pointed gunome hamon. The hamon width can be wide and narrow. Nosada and other Mino-den swordsmiths often exhibit wood-grain patterns with masame on the ji-hada. Nioi base, mixed with coarse nie.

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

Characteristic of the sword above

Shallow curvature. Sturdy appearance. Marudome-hi (the hi ends are rounded). The pointed hamon is called togari-ba (尖り刃). Nioi base, mixed with nie. Slight masame and wood grain patterns on Ji-hada.

April 13, 2019December 8, 2025 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 detailed part of Chapter 15, 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, powerful temples expanded their territories in the Yamato region. Refer to the map below for the location of the Yamato region. Several prominent temples, especially those with large territories, held political and military power to control the area at the end of the Kamakura period. These large territories were called shoen (荘園). They employed many monk soldiers known as so-hei. The demand for swords increased because of the rising number of Sohei (僧兵). This increased demand revived the Yamato–den.

Some prominent temples had their own swordsmiths within their territories. Todaiji Temple (東大寺) supported the 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) is enshrined. The Taima sword group originated from the Taima-ji Temple (当麻寺). The Shikkake group (尻懸) and the Hosho group (保昌) were also part of the Yamato-den sword groups. These five groups are known as Yamato Goha (the Yamato five groups).

51 Japan map Yamato

General Characteristic of Yamato Den

The Yamato-den (大和伝) sword always shows masame (柾目: straight grain-like pattern) somewhere on the ji-hada, ji-gane, or hamon. Refer to Chapter 15, Revival of Yamato Den. Masame is sometimes mixed with mokume (burl-like pattern) or itame (wood-grain-like pattern). Either way, Yamato-den always shows masame somewhere. Some swords display masame across the entire blade, while others show less. Because of the masame, the hamon often shows sunagashi (a brush stroke-like pattern) or a double line called niju-ha.

Taima (or Taema) group (当麻)

Shape ———————– Middle Kamakura period style 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 pattern). A double-lined, brush-stroke-like Pattern may appear. Small Inazuma and Kinsuji may also be shown.
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 style with thick Kasane (body). High Shinogi. Koshizori.
Hamon ————- Narrow tempered line with medium Suguha hotsure (frayed Suguha). Mainly Nie. Double tempered line. Inazuma and Kinsuji may show.
Boshi ————————————— Yakizume (no turn back), Kaen (flame-like).
Ji-Hada ————————————————— Fine burl mixed with Masame.

Tegai Kanenaga of Yamato. From the Sano Museum Catalogue (permission granted). The illustration (called Oshigata) shows notare (wave-like hamon) and suguha-hotsure (frayed suguha pattern) with kinsuji.

My Yamato sword： Acquired at the Annual San Francisco Swords Show.

Characteristics: Munei (shortened and without signature). Yamato-den, Tegai-ha (Yamato school Tegai group). Length is two shaku, two sun, eight &1/2 bu (27 1/4 inches), small kissaki and funbari. Hamon： Niju-ba, Sunagashi. Boshi: Yakizume. Ji-hada: Itame with masame, Nie-hon’i .

My Yamato sword

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

My Yamato sword 5

My Yamato sword 4

My Yamato sword.jpg 2

My sword: acquired at Dai Token Ichi (大刀剣市)Bizen Osafune Tomomitsu (備前長船倫光) Length: 2 feet 4 inches, Shape: Shinogi zukuri, Hada:itame midare-utsuri, Hamon: konotare gunome choji

January 19, 2019December 4, 2025 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)

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.

Rai Kuniyuki (来国行）Once my family sword, photo taken by my father with his writing.

Rai Kuniyuki (来国行）Sano Museum Catalogue (佐野美術館) (permission granted)

February 10, 2018December 15, 2025 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）

　　　　　　　　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