mune – Study of Japanese Sword

November 14, 2019December 11, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 65 The sword Observation process

65| The Sword Observation Process

This chapter shows the handling and viewing process of the sword examination.

Wear white gloves or hold a handkerchief in each hand.

Bow lightly. Hold the Tsuka (hilt) with your right hand and the Saya (scabbard) with your left hand. Pull the Saya out. Doing this, the back of the Saya faces the floor, and the Ha faces up. The Mune should be resting on the inside of the Saya. Pull the blade carefully. Do not let the Ha touch the inner wall of the Saya to avoid accidentally getting scratches.

Set down the Saya on the left of the sword. Prepare the sword tool.

How to handle sword 3

Using the sword tool, push the Mekugi (peg) out of the Tsuka.

How to handle sword 4

5. Pull and place the Tsuka and put Mekugi in the hole of the Tsuka so that you won’t lose it.

How to handle sword 5

6. Pull the Habaki (metal piece just above the Tsuka, a gold piece in the picture left) and set them down on the right.

How to handle sword 6.a

Hold the Nakago with your right hand. With Washi (Japanese rice paper), or handkerchief or tissue paper, support under the blade with your left hand.

How to handle sword 7

Using the light reflection on the blade’s surface, look at Jigane, Hamon, Boshi, and Mei, etc. To see Hamon, Jigane, and Boshi well, move the sword up, down, or sideways or rotate it to reflect the light in the right position.

１悦子の絵

When you finish looking at the sword, bow lightly and reassemble it by reversing the process.

How to handle sword 9

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

March 2, 2019June 6, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 13 | «Part 2» Middle Kamakura Period Tanto (鎌倉中期短刀 ), Uncategorized

46|Part 2 of — 12|Middle Kamakura Period: Tanto 鎌倉中期短刀

This chapter is a datiled part of chapter of 12| Middle Kamakura Period Tanto ( 短刀) . Please read Chapter 12 before reading this section.

0-timeline - size 24 Middle Kamakura

The circle above indicates the time we discuss in this section

In 12| The Middle Kamakura Period: Tanto described that the shape of Tanto called Takenoko-zori had appeared during the middle Kamakura period. This style of Tanto curves inward a little at the tip. The drawing below may be a bit exaggerated to show the curve. The real Takenoko-zori curvature is not so apparent. Maybe a few millimeters inward.

Usually, the length of the Tanto is approximately 12 inches. Tantos are described as follows; a Tanto of approx. ten inches is called Josun Tanto (定寸短刀), longer than ten inches is called Sun-nobi Tanto (寸延び短刀), and less than ten inches is called Sun-zumari Tanto (寸詰短刀).

12Tanto drawing Mid Kamakur

Sun-nobi Tanto (寸延び) 　> Jyosun Tanto (定寸) 　> 　sun-zumari Tanto (寸詰り)　　(longer than 10 inches) 　 (approx. 10 inches) (less than 10 inches

13 «Part 2» Tanto photo

46 Shintogo Kunimitsu Oshigata

Shintogo Kunimitsu (新藤五国光) Sano Museum Catalogue, permission granted to use

The style above is called Kanmuri-otoshi (冠落し); the Mune side (opposite side of cutting edge) is shaved off. The length is approximately 10 inches. Woodgrain pattern surface, Nie on Ji (refer to 3 |Names of Parts). Very finely forged. Hamon is medium Suguha (straight). Boshi is Ko-maru (small round). Because of the Kanmuri-otoshi style, it may not be easy to see the Takenoko-zori; the Mune side bends inward very slightly. Among the Tanto producers, Shintogo Kunimitsu is considered as the top Tanto maker.

13 «Part 2»Tanto photo with Saya

Above photo is also by Shintogo Kunimitsu (新藤五国光) with Saya. Saya is the scabbard. The handle of the scabbard (white part) is made with sharkskin. Both photos are from Sano Museum Catalog. Permission granted.

March 17, 2018May 21, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 20 Nanboku-Cho Tanto, Uncategorized

19 | Nanboku-Cho Period Tanto（南北朝短刀）

The circle indicates the time we discuss in this section

During the Nanboku-cho period, a type of Tanto called Hirazukuri Ko-wakizashi Sun-nobi Tanto was made. Hirazukuri means a flat sword without the Yokote line and Shinogi. Ko-wakizashi means a shorter sword. Sun-nobi Tanto means longer than standard Tanto. This is also called Enbun Jyoji Ko-wakizashi Tanto. It is called this way because majority of this type of Tanto were forged around Enbun and Jyoji imperial era. In Japan, a new imperial period starts when a new emperor ascends to the throne. The Enbun era was from 1356 to 1361, and the Jyoji period was from 1362 to 1368.

20 Enbun Jyoji Kowakizashi Tanto

Sugata (姿: shape) ——- The length of a standard size Tanto is approx. one Shaku. Shaku is an old Japanese measurement unit for length and, one Shaku is very close to 1 foot.

8.5 Sun (the Sun is another old Japanese measurement unit for length) is approximately 10 inches. Ten inches is the standard size Tanto called Josun Tanto. Anything longer than Josun Tanto is called Sun-nobi Tanto. Anything shorter than Josun is called Sun-zumari Tanto.

Most of the Nanboku-cho tantos are longer than Josun Tanto, approximately 1 foot 2 inches long. Therefore they are called Hirazukuri Ko-wakizashi Sun-nobi Tanto.

Saki-zori (curved outward at the top. See the illustration above). Wide width and thin body. Fukura Kareru (no Fukura means less arc). Shin-no-mune. See the drawing below.

20 Fukura 20 Shin-no-Mune

Hi, (樋: Grooves) and Horimono (彫り物: Engraving) —- A groove or grooves on the Mune side. Bonji (Sanscrit, described in Chapter 16 Late Kamakura Period (Early Soshu-Den Tanto 鎌倉末短刀, Koshi-bi (Short groove), Tumetuki Ken, Tokko-tsuki Ken (see below) appear. Ken (dagger) is curved widely and deeply in the upper part and shallower and narrower in the lower part. This is called Soshu-bori (Soshu stule carving).

20 Tokko, tume Ken

Hamon (刃: Tempered line) —– The narrowly tempered at the lower part gradually becomes wider toward the top. Then a similar wide Hamon goes into the Boshi area. Hamon in the Kissaki area is Kaeri-fukashi (turn back deep). See the illustration below. Coarse Nie. O-midare (large irregular Hamon pattern).

20 Hitatsura

From Sano Museum Catalogue

Ji-hada (地肌: Area between shinogi-ji and tempered line)——— Loose wood grain pattern called Itame. Yubashiri (refer Chapter 16| Late Kamakura period: Early Soshu-Den Tanto (鎌倉末短刀)), Tobiyaki (Irregular patchy tempered spot) appear. Crowded (or busy) Tobiyaki is called Hitatsura (drawing above).

Nakago (茎: Tang) —- Short Tanago-bara. Tanago-bara means the shape of the belly of a Japanese fish Tanago (bitterling).

20 Tanago Bara

Tanto Sword-smiths during Nanboku-Cho Period

Soshu Den ———————————————————-Hiromitu( 広光) Akihiro (秋広) Yamashiro Den ————————————————–Hasebe Kunishige (長谷部国重) Bizen Den ——————————————————— Kanemitu (兼光) Chogi (長義 )

Compton Hiromitsu Soshu Hiromitsu “Nippon-To Art Sword of Japan “ The Walter A. Compton Collection

February 10, 2018May 21, 2021 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 said that the first sword-making started from Yamato province (present Nara prefecture) during the Nara period (710 to 794). In the early sword-making days, their forging techniques were primitive. At that time, a large number of swordsmiths lived in Yamato, yet as time passed, the sword making declined in this area.

At the end of the Kamakura period, several powerful Buddhist temples in the Yamato area had power struggles against each other. Temples had a strong political and military power to control a large territory called Shoen (荘園) with their large number of warrior monks called Sohei (僧兵). The most powerful group was called Nanto Sohei (南都僧兵)*. The groups of Sohei demanded more swords to arm themselves. The high demand for swords from Sohei revitalized the Yamato Den (school) and increased the number of swordsmiths in the Yamato area. As a result, Yamato Den became active again. The Yamato Den style is somewhat similar to that of Yamashiro Den.

*Nanto Sohei (南都僧兵)———Since around the 11th century, Buddhist temples had become powerful under the protection from the Jokos (retired emperors). Those temples had a large number of Sohei (low-level monks who also acted as soldiers). When power struggles started between 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 at the early part of Yamato Den and Yamashiro Den. Shinogi is high. Mune is thin. Some types of Yamato Den have 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 pattern and irregular wavy lines), Ko-midare (小乱: fine irregular wavy lines), Ko-gunome-komidare (小五の目小乱: small continuous half-circles mixed with wavy lines).

The main characteristic of the Yamato Den style sword is Masame (straight grain). Their tempered line often shows Nijyu-ha (double straight lines), Hakikake (tracing of a broom mark), Uchinoke (a crescent-shape line), or combinations of them. See the illustration below. 16 Hamon Yamato

Boshi (鋩子: Tempered line at Kissaki area)———-On the Boshi area, a straight grain Hamon pattern appears. Yakizume or Kaen. (Refer Chapter 12 Middle Kamakura period: Tanto). O-maru, Ko-maru, Nie-kuzure. (Refer 14| Late Kamakura Period: Sword (鎌倉末太刀). See the illustration below.

15 Kaen Ykizume

15 Omaru Komaru Niekuzure

Jihada or Jitetsu (the area between Shinogi and Hamon )——Mostly Masame–hada (straight grain pattern 柾目肌). Fine ji-nie, Chikei, and Yubashiri shows (refer 14 Late Kamakura Period).

16 Masame Hada

Nakago (Hilt)——————Often shows the finishing file pattern as shown below. This is called Higaki Yasuri (檜垣).

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)

16 Shaya Ensou

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

August 12, 2017May 26, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 4 Names of Parts

3 |Names of Parts

Here are the names of the parts of a sword. The length of a sword means the length between the tip of the blade and the top of the Nakago (the hilt) as shown in the last figure. The curvature of a sword is an important factor for connoisseurs to appraise the sword because it often indicates the time and region the particular sword was forged. 4a Entire names of parts

Kissaki difference

4c length & curvature