Sakizori – Study of Japanese Sword

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 26, 2019May 25, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 52| Part 2 of ---17| Late Kamakura Period Tanto(Early Soshu Den), Uncategorized

50|Part 2 of –16 Late Kamakura Period: Tanto (Early Soshu-Den 鎌倉末短刀, 正宗墓)

Chapter 50 is a continued part of 16| Late Kamakura period Tanto (Early Soshu-Den 鎌倉末短刀). Please read Chapter 16 before reading this section.

0-timeline - size 24 Late Kamakura

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

In 16| Late Kamakura period: Tanto (Early Soshu-Den 鎌倉末短刀) , the general characteristics of the late Kamakura period Tanto style (early Soshu Den) was described. The next two photos fit in with the typical features of early Soshu Den Tanto.

Masamune

Goro Nyudo Masamune (五郎入道正宗) was born in Kamakura as a son of Tosaburo Yukimitu (藤三郎行光). Today, Masamune is a very well-known swordsmith, even among those who are not very familiar with the Japanese sword. His father, Tosaburo Yukimitsu was also one of the top swordsmiths among the early Soshu Den. Masamune’s tomb is in Honkaku-JI (本覚寺) Temple, approximately a 6 minutes’ walk from Kamakura station.

Masamune photo (above) —– Hira-zukuri (flat). Very slightly Sakizori (tip area curves slightly outward). Bo-hi and Tsure-hi (parallel thin grooves). Komaru-boshi. Itame-hada (wood grain pattern). Hamon is Notare (wavy). The illustration above shows Sunagashi and Niju-ba (double Hamon). This type of Nakago is called Tanago-bara. Masamune Tanto is often Mu-mei (no signature). This particular tanto is called Komatsu Masamune (小松政宗). The Sano Museum Catalog’s description stated that connoisseurs in the past had difficulty determining this is Masamune sword. Because the wide Mihaba with sori and hamon was a little different from other Masamune’s. Judging from the clear Nie, Chikei, and Kinsuji, they determined it was a Masamune Tanto.

Enju Photo below

Higo Province Enju Kunisuke From Sano Museum Catalog
(permission granted)

Enju (延寿) group lived in Higo (肥後) Province in Kyushu. The characteristics of the Enju group is very similar to that of the Yamashiro Den’s. It is because Enju Kunimura was related to Rai Kuniyuki of Yamashiro-Den.

Enju (Photo above) —-Hamon is Hoso-suguha (straight temper line). Boshi is Komaru. The front engraving is Suken (left photo left side), and the engraving on the back is Gomabashi (left photo right side). Ji-hada is a tight Itame. It is confusing to Kantei (determining who made the sword) a sword like this because even though this sword is from the late Kamakura period, it does not have the typical early Soshu Den look.

Masamune’s Tomb in Honkaku-ji Temple

Masamune’s (正宗) tomb is in the Honkakuj-Ji Temple (本覚寺) in Kamakura. Here is a map of the Honkaku-Ji Temple and Masamune Kogei store in Kamakura. This store is owned by Tsunahiro Yamamura, the 24^th generation of Masamune. Honkaku-Ji Temple is circled in red, and Masamune Kogei store is the red circle with X. Both are approximately a 6 to 7 minutes walking distance from Kamakura station.

To get to Honkaku-Ji Temple from Tokyo

Take the Yokosuka line train from Tokyo station (approx. one hour) → Get off at Kamakura Station (one stop after Kita-Kamakura) → Exit from the East Exit (front exit) → Go straight and cross the road → Turn right and go up to the post office → Turn left at the post office (Honkaku-ji Temple sign is at the corner of the post office) →The temple is at a short distance from the post office.

52 Honkakuji map in red

From Kamakura Tourist map

52 Honnkakuji 2 54 large Masamune monument only

52 Honkakuji 54 Small Masamune tomb only

Honkakuji Temple (本覚寺) and Masamune Tomb (正宗墓 ) My trip in 2019

July 14, 2018May 22, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 29| Main Seven Area of Shinto Sword (part2), Uncategorized

28|Shin-to Sword — Main Seven Regions (part B 主要７刀匠地)

The red circle indicates the subject of this chapter

64Map with number with 8

3．Musashi ( 武蔵 ) in Edo ( 江戸 )

The Katana and Wakizashi made in the Musashi area have shallow Sori (curvature). Often the width of the upper part of the body tends to be narrow. Usually, the Hamon starts with a small irregular pattern, gradually becomes a bigger irregular pattern, then a few inches under the yokote line, it becomes a small irregular pattern again. The Boshi is usually Komaru-boshi. The Ji-hada is somewhat rough. Masame-hada shows on Shinogi-ji.

Well-known swordsmiths in Musashi ———————————-Noda Hannkei (野田繁慶) Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu (長曽根興里入道虎徹)

28 Kotetsu はんけい cropped

Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu Noda Hankei (野田繫慶) (長曽根興里入道虎徹) from Compton’s collection “Nippon-to” Once owned by my father.

Echizen ( 越前 ) and 5. Kaga (加賀 )

Many swordsmiths from Mino (美濃) area moved to Echizen and Kaga area (#4 & 5 on the map above). Therefore, the swords made in this area are called Echizen- seki, and Kaga-seki. Refer to 23|Sengoku Period (戦国) Sword for Mino Den. The style of Echizen Yasutsugu (越前康継) is similar to the one of Mino Den.

Well-known swordsmith in Echizen ————————-—Echizen Yasutsugu (越前康継 )

Hizen (肥前)

Both Katana and Wakizashi in Hizen have a well-balanced shape. Hizen area tends to make swords with Chu-suguha-hotsure (a medium-width straight Hamon that looks like frayed fabric.) with fine Nie (沸). The Boshi has a regular clean line with uniform width tempered line, as shown in the illustration below. If you see a Shinto sword which has Chu-suguha Hamon and a Boshi that looks like the one below, it is often made by Hizen Tadayoshi (肥前忠吉). Very fine Ji-hada (surface), sometimes called Nukame-hada.

29 Hizen Tadayoshi Boshi

Well-known swordsmith in Hizen ———————————— Hizen Tadayoshi ( 肥前忠吉)

Satsuma (薩摩 )

The swords made in Satsuma have a solid look for both katana and wakizashi. Kissaki (the top pointed area) is a little stretched. Yakidashi (a few inches above Machi ) shows a small irregular Hamon. Hamon is O-midare with coarse Nie called Ara-nie. The Ara-nie forms Togari-ba (pointed pattern, see the drawing below). One of the characteristics of this region is Satsuma-nie. That is, the Ara-nie around hamon continues and blends into the Ji-hada area. Therefore, the border between Ha-nie and Ji-nie is unclear. Inside the Hamon sometimes shows a thick line shaped like lightning. This line is called Satsuma-no-imozuru (sweet potato vine), less favorable than Inazume and Kinsiji. This is the most prominent feature of the Satsuma sword. Boshi has a narrow-tempered line with a small irregular pattern. This is called Satsuma-boshi. On the Ji-hada surface, Chikei (a long dark line like) appears. This is called Satsuma-gane (薩摩金).

29 Satsuma Togari-ba

Well-known swordsmiths in Satsuma —————— Izunokami Masafusa (伊豆守正房) Ichinohira Yasuyo (一平安代) Mondonosho Masakiyo (主水正正清)

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