Yakizume – Study of Japanese Sword

September 2, 2019July 12, 2021 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 continued part of chapter 28 Shin-to Main 7 Regions (part B). Please read chapter 28 before reading this chapter. Below are the regions 3,7.

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 find many famous swordsmiths in Edo also. 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).

65 Yasutsugu photo Yasutsugu From Sano Museum Catalogue. Permission granted to use

Characteristics of Yasutusgu (康継) ——- shallow curvature; Chu-gissaki (medium Kissaki); Hamon of wide Notare, Midare, or O-gunome (sometimes double Gunome); a trace of Soshu Den and Mino Den; and woodgrain pattern mixed with Masame on Shinogi-ji.

65 Kotetsu photo 65 kotetu illustration Kotetsu (虎徹) from Sano Museum Catalogue, (permission granted to use)

Here is the famous Kotetsu. His formal name was Nagasone Okisato Nyudo Kotetsu (長曽祢興里入道虎徹). Kotetsu began to make swords after he passed 50 years old. Before that, he was an armor maker.

The characteristics of Kotetsu ———————– shallow curvature and wide width, wide tempered line with Nie. Small irregular Hamon at about the Machi area, becoming wide Suguha like Notare at the upper area. Fine Nie, Komaru–boshi with a short turn back. Ji-hada is fine wood grain and burl. Sometimes, you see O-hada (black core iron show through) at the lower part above the Machi area. The illustration above shows a thick tempered line with Nie, which is the typical Kotetsu’s characteristic. Once you see it, you will remember it. The next region is 7, skipping 4, 5, and 6.

Satsuma (Kyushu)

Miyahara Mondonosho Masakiyo (宮原主水正正清) from Sano Museum Catalogue, (permission granted to use).

Miyahara Mondonosho Masakiyo was highly regarded by the Shimazu family of Satsuma Han (Satsuma domain in Kyushu). Later he was chosen to go 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 Aoi crest (the hollyhock crest of the Tokugawa family) on Nakago.

April 13, 2019May 25, 2021 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 continued part of Chapter 15|The 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, in the Yamato area, powerful temples expanded their territories. See the map below for the location of the Yamato area. Several big temples, especially those with large territories, had political and military power to control the area at the end of the Kamakura period. Those big territories were called Shoen (荘園). They employed a large number of monk soldiers called So-hei. The demand for swords was increased by the increased number of Sohei (僧兵). The increased demand revived the Yamato Den.

Some of the prominent temples had their own swordsmiths within their territory. Todaiji Temple (東大寺) backed 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) was enshrined. The name of the sword group, Taima came from the Taima-ji Temple (当麻寺). Shikkake group (尻懸) and Hosho group (保昌) were also Yamato Den sword groups. Those five groups are called Yamato Goha (Yamato five groups).

51 Japan map Yamato

General Characteristic of Yamato Den

Yamato Den (大和伝) sword always shows Masame (柾目: straight grain-like pattern) somewhere on Ji-hada, Jigane, or Hamon. Refer to 15| The Revival of Yamato Den（大和伝復活） for the general characteristic. Masame is sometimes mixed with Mokume (burl like pattern) or Itame (wood-grain like). Either way, Yamato Den shows Masame somewhere. Some swords show Masame on the entire body, and some show less. Because of Masame, the Hamon tends to show Sunagashi (brush stroke-like pattern) or a double line called Niju-ha.

Taima (or Taema) group (当麻)

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

Tegai Kanenaga of Yamato. From Sano Museum Catalogue (permission granted). The illustration (called Oshigata) shows Notare (wave-like Hamon) and Suguha-hotsure (frayed Suguha) with kinsuji.

Below is my Yamato sword. I obtained this sword at an Annual San Francisco swords show a few years back.

Characteristics: Munei (shortened and no signature). Yamato Den, Tegai-ha (Yamato school Tegai group). Length is two shaku two sun eight &1/2 bu (27 1/4 inches): very small kissaki and funbari.

My Yamato sword

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

My Yamato sword 5

My Yamato sword 4

My Yamato sword.jpg 2

In Hamon, Sunagashi, Niju-ba shows very faintly. My photo of Boshi is not good, but it looks like Yakizume. Ji–hada is Itame with Masame, almost Nashiji-hada (possibly because of my eyes). Nie-hon’i. Please ignore the cloth pattern underneath reflecting on the blade.

February 20, 2019May 24, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 Uncategorized

45|Part 2 of –11 Ikubi Kissaki (continued from Chapter 44)

This chapter is a detailed part of 11| Ikubi Kissaki (猪首切先) and continued from 44|Part 2 of —- 11|Ikubi Kissaki（猪首切先）. Please read Chapter 11 and Chapter 45 before reading this section.

0-timeline - size 24 Middle Kamakura

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

Bizen Saburo Kunimune (備前三郎国宗)

Another swordsmith that should be mentioned in this section is Bizen Saburo Kunimune (備前三郎国宗). In the middle Kamakura period, the Hojo clan invited top swordsmiths to the Kamakura area. Awataguchi Kunitsuna (粟田口国綱) from Yamashiro of Kyoto, Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukezane (福岡一文字助真) from Bizen area, Bizen Kunimune (備前国宗) from Bizen area moved to Kamakura with their circle of people. Those three groups started the Soshu Den (相州伝). Refer to13| Late Kamakura Period: Genko (鎌倉末元寇) .

Sugata (shape) ——————— Ikubi-kissaki style. Sometimes Chu-gissaki. Thick body. Koshi-zori. Narrow Shinogi width.
Horimono (Engravings) —————- Often narrow Bo-hi (single groove)
Hamon (Tempered line) ————- O-choji Midare (irregular large clove shape) with Ashi. Or Ko-choji Midare (irregular small clove shape) with Ashi. Nioi base with Ji-nie (Nie in the Hada area). Some Hamon is squarish with less Kubire (less narrow at the bottom of the clove). Hajimi (刃染み rough surface) may show. Often the Kunimune swords are as follows; the lower part shows Choji, the upper part shows less work without Ashi.

Kunimune Compton 1 Kunimune Compton 2 Bizen Saburo Kunimune (備前三郎国宗) Photo from “Nippon-to Art Sword of Japan, ” The Walter A. Compton Collection. National Treasure

Boshi ———————— Small irregular. Yakizume or short turn back.
Ji-hada —————-Wood-grain pattern. Fine Ji-hada with some Ji-nie (Nie inside Ji-hada). Midare-utsuri (irregular shadow) shows. A few Hajimi (rough surface).

12 (second part 2) 照国神社 Above photo is a picture from the official site of Terukuni Shrine in Kyushu. http://terukunijinja.pkit.com/page222400.html

This is the National Treasure, Kunimune, preserved at Terukuni Jinja Shrine in Kagoshima prefecture. See the photos on the previous page. This Kunimune sword was lost after WWII. Dr. Compton, the board chairman of Miles Laboratories in Elkhart, Indiana, found it in Atlanta’s antique store. I mentioned Dr. Compton in 32| Japanese swords after WWII . When he saw this sword, he realized this was not just an ordinary sword. He bought it and inquired to the Nihon Bijutu Token Hozon Kyokai (The Japanese Sword Museum) in Tokyo. It turned out to be the famous missing National Treasure, Kunimune, from Terukuni Jinja shrine. He returned the sword to the shrine without compensation in 1963.

My father became a good friend of his around this time through Dr. Homma and Dr. Sato (both were leading sword experts). Later, Dr. Compton asked Dr. Honma and my father to examine his swords he kept in his house (he had many swords) and swords at The Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. My father wrote about this trip and the swords he examined in those museums and published the book in 1965; the title was “Katana Angya (刀行脚).”

For Dr. Compton and my father, those days must have been the best time of their lives. Their businesses were doing well, and they were able to spend a lot of time on their interests and had fun. It was the best time for me, too. One time, while I was visiting Compton’s house, he showed me his swords in his basement for hours, almost all day. His house was huge, and the basement he built as his study had a fire prevention system, and the lighting system was perfect to view swords and other art objects.

Phoebe, his wife, said to him that he shouldn’t keep a young girl (college student then) in the basement all day. He agreed and took me to his cornfield to pick some corn for dinner. From a basement to a cornfield, not much improvement? So, Phoebe decided to take me shopping and lunch in Chicago. Good idea, but it was too far. Compton’s house was Elkhart, Indiana. The distance between Elkhart and Chicago was about two and a half hours by car. It was too far just for shopping and lunch. To my surprise, the company’s employee flew us and landed on the rooftop of a department store, then did the shopping, had lunch, and flew back.

Miles Laboratories and a well-known large Japanese pharmaceutical company, had a business tie-up then. Dr. Compton used to come to Japan quite often, officially, for business purposes. But whenever he came to Japan, he spent days with sword people, including my father, and I usually followed him. One of the female workers of this pharmaceutical company, her job description was to translate the sword book into English.

My parents’ house was filled with Miles products. Miles Laboratories had a big research institute in Elkhart, Indiana. I visited there several times. One day, I was sitting with Dr. Compton in his office, looking into a sword book with our heads together. That day, a movie actor, John Forsythe, was visiting the research lab. He was the host of a TV program Miles Laboratories was sponsoring. All female employees were making a big fuss over him. Then he came into Dr. Compton’s room to greet him, thinking the chairman must be sitting in his big chair at his desk looking like a chairman. But he saw Dr. Compton looking into the sword book with his head against my head. The appearance of Dr. Compton was just like any chairman of the board of a big company one can imagine, and I was a Japanese college student looking like a college student. John Forsythe showed a strange expression on his face that he did not know what to think.

January 26, 2019June 6, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江１０｜«Part 2»　Middle Kamakura Period ---Bizen-Den, Uncategorized

42|Part 2 of — 9 Middle Kamakura Period : Bizen Den (鎌倉中期備前伝)

This chapter is a detailed part of Chapter 9. Please read 9 | Middle Kamakura Period (Bizen Den) 鎌倉中期備前伝 before reading this chapter.

0-timeline - size 24 Middle Kamakura

The red circle indicates the time we discuss in this section

The middle Kamakura period was the height of the Bizen Den. In different regions other than Bizen, swords styles often reflected people’s preferences and politics in the particular areas. But the Bizen sword had its own style and was not affected much by those elements throughout the time. The clients of Bizen swords came from all over the country. Therefore, the Bizen swordsmiths created the swords liked by everybody.

The general style of Bizen Den

In general, their style is likable by everybody.
The shape, the width of the blade, the thickness of the body, and the tempered line are a standard size or usual design, seldom out of the ordinary.
Nioi base
Soft feeling Ji-gane (steel)
Utsuri (cloud-like shadow) appears.
The tempered line tends to have the same width, not too wide, not too narrow.

Fukuoka Ichimonji group

Names of swordsmiths among Fukuoka Ichimonji group

Fukuoka Ichimonji Norimune (福岡一文字則宗), Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukemune ( 福岡一文字助宗 ). Those two were the main swordsmiths among the Fukuoka Ichomonji group (福岡一文字 ). From this group, six swordsmiths including Norimune and Sukemune, received the honor as the “Gobankaji” from Emperor Gotoba (後鳥羽上皇 ). I saw Fukuoka Ichimonji Muneyoshi (福岡一文字宗吉) at Mori Sensei’s class on June 25, 1972. My note pointed out a lot of Utsuri (shadow) on the blade.

Sugata (shape) ————– Graceful and classy shape. Generally, well- proportioned shape. The difference between the top width and bottom width is not much. Sometimes stout-looking Kissaki like Ikubi-kissak (refer 11| Ikubi Kissaki (猪首切先) appears.

Hi and Engraving ———-The tip of Hi may follow the Ko-shinogi line. See below. The end of Hi goes under Machi ending with square, or Kakinagashi (refer to 41| Part 2 of —– 8 Middle Kamakura Period (Yamashiro Den) 鎌倉中期山城伝 )

44 hisaki agaru

Hamon ———- Wide Ichimonji-choji tempered line. It means the same width tempered line from the bottom to the top. The same Hamon front and back. O-choji-midare (large clove-like pattern), Juka-choji (overwrapped-looking Choji). Nie base. Inazuma and/or Kinsuji appear.

Boshi ————– Same Hamon continues into the Boshi area and ends with Yakizume or turn slightly. Sometimes O-maru.

Jihada ———– Fine and a soft look. Itame (Woodgrain pattern). Lots of Utsuri (cloud-like shadow or reflection)

10«part 2»　ichimonji　photo

44 Ichimonjio hamon

Ichimonji Sano Museum Catalogue (佐野美術館)　Permission granted ＊Above sword is O-suriage. The end of Hi is lower than Mekugi-ana inside Nakago.

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

February 4, 2018May 21, 2021 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 emerged after the Mongolian invasion in the latter part of the Kamakura period. Kamakura region became prosperous under the rule of the Hojo family (北条). Many swordsmiths moved to Kamakura. Those people were Kunituna (国綱) group from Yamashiro area and Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukezane (福岡一文字助真) and Kunimune (国宗) from Bizen area. They are the origin of Soshu Den (相州伝). A star swordsmith, Goro-Nyudo-Masamune (五郎入道正宗), appeared during this time.

15 Soshu sword with explanation

Shape (Sugata 姿) ——- O–kissaki (large-kissak: 大切先) and Chu-kissaki (medium kissaki: 中切先). The tip of Hi ends lower (see below illustration). Hamaguri– ha was no longer in style. The body became thinner. The original length was approximately 3 feet or longer, but the majority of them were shortened to 2 feet and 3 or 4 inches at a later time. 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) and Ko-choji (small clove-like pattern), and Ko-gumome (small half-circle like 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, radiant line) may appear on a tempered line. However, Inazuma and Kinsuji require trained eyes to be detected. It is hard for beginners to notice the Inazuma or Kinsuji.

15 Late Kamakura Soshu Hamon

Boshi————- The main body and Boshi has the same type of Hamon. At the tip of the Kissaki, turn back a little or Yakizume. You may also see O-maru (large round), Ko-maru (small round), Kaen (flame like), or Nie-kuzure. See “Chapter 12 Middle Kamakura period: Tanto” for Yakizume and Kaen.

15 three boshi name

Jihada or Jitetsu (between Shinogi and Tempered line)–—– Strong Ji-nie (地沸) that is the sand-like small dots appears on Ji (between tempered line and Mune). Yubashiri (a cluster of Ji-nie), Kinsuji (bright, radiant line formed by Nie ), Inazuma (a lightning-like irregular line), or Chikei (similar to Kinsuji) appears on 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 above three swordsmiths were the origin of the Soshu Den (school) in Kamakura. Later, Tosaburo-Yukimitu and his son, famous Goro Nyudo Masamune appeared.

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)

14 masamune1 14 Masamune Hamon

Goro-Nyudo-Masamune(正宗) Sano Museum Catalogue (佐野美術館図録) Permission granted Since Masamune lived in a beach town, Kamakura, his hamon style sometimes looks like ocean waves.

14 Masamune, Yoshioka Ichimonji Endo.jpg 1

Once owned by my family

January 14, 2018October 12, 2022 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 very rare to see a Tanto (短刀dagger) made during the Heian period. During the middle Kamakura period, a large number of high-quality Tanto were made. They were called Takenoko-zori shaped Tanto. Takenoko means bamboo shoot. The back of the Tanto curves inward slightly.

12Tanto drawing Mid Kamakur

Sugata (shape)———- Hirazukuri. It means there is no Shinogi, Yokote line. See the illustration above. The standard Tanto size is about 10 inches. The width is not too wide, not too narrow, very well-balanced size. 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 (straight line pattern with an irregular wavy pattern) or Suguha-choji (straight line pattern with small Choji). The tempered edge line may show a frayed look.

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

13 Hamon and Hi

Engravings (彫刻 ) ———- Often, different kinds of engravings are done at the lower part of the body. These may be a groove or two grooves, Sanskrit, Suken (spear), dragon, etc. For Sanskrit and spear, look at the illustration inside 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)

13　Rai kunimitsu Tanto photo 2　来国光（Rai Kunimitsu）

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Creative common Free media Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

January 13, 2018June 6, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 12| Ikubi Kissaki, Uncategorized

11| Ikubi Kissaki (猪首切先)

The circle indicates the time we discuss in this chapter.

Through the experience of the war of Jokyu-no-Ran (Chapter 10), the sword’s trend changed to a wider, sturdier, and grander style. The swords made around this time are called Ikubi-kissaki. Ikubi means a wild boar’s neck. Ikubi-kissaki style swords have a stout kissaki that looks like the boar’s neck.

The middle Kamakura period was the golden age of Japanese sword making. Many top swordsmiths created great swords during this time. Experts agree that there is no mediocre sword among Ikubi-kissaki swords

IkubiKissakiSword 12 Ikubi Kissaki sword style

SUGATA (shape) ——–— Originally 3 feet or longer, therefore it is often shortened in later time. Wide width, thick Kasane (thick body) with Hamaguri-ha (蛤刃). Hamaguri-ha means the sword’s cross-section is shaped like a clam (see below). The difference in the width between the Yokote line area and Machi is minimal. Shinogi (鎬) is high, and shinogi width is narrow. The cross-section of an Ikubi-kissaki sword is shown below.

12　蛤刃と鎬

KISSAKI —— Ikubi-kissaki. Ikubi means the neck of a wild boar. It is thick, short, and stout looking. Kissaki is short and wide at the Yokote line. The illustration below shows an exaggerated image of an Ikubi-kissaki.

12 Ikubi Kissak drawing

Hamon (刃文) —— Kawazuko-choji (tadpole-head shape pattern). O-choji (large clove- shape pattern), Ko-choji (small clove-shape pattern), a mix of O-choji and Ko-choji, or Suguha-choji. Suguha-choji has a straight line mixed with Choji pattern (clove-shape).

12 Hamon Kawazuko-choji O-choji Ko-choji Suguha-choji (tadpole head) (large clove) (small clove) (straight and clove)

Boshi(鋩子) ———Yakizume: the hamon ends almost at the tip of kissaki, no turn back.Sansaku Boshi: The hamon narrows at the yokote line, created by Nagamitsu (長光), Kagemitsu (景光), and Sanenaga (真長). See the below for Yakizume and Sansaku Boshi.

Yakizume 11 Sansaku Boshi（三作 Sansaku-boshi

Ikubi Kissaki Sword Smiths

Fukuoka Ichimonji Group (福岡一文字) —————Fukuoka Ichimonji Norimune (則宗) Kamakura Ichimonji Group(鎌倉一文字) ———— Kamakura Ichimonji Sukezane (助真) Soshu Bizen Kunimune Group(相州備前国宗)——– Soshu Bizen Kunimune (国宗)Bizen Osafune Group(長船)——————Bizen Osafune Mitutada(長船光忠) Nagamitsu(長光) Ugai Group————————————————————————- Ugai Unji (鵜飼雲次)

11 nagamitsu 1 11 Nagamitsu drawing Osafune Nagamitsu(長船長光) From Sano Museum Catalogue (permission granted)

Osafune Mitsutada(長船光忠) Osafune Mitsutada(長船光忠) *Were family sword　This photo was taken by my father and writings on the white paper were written by him.

December 23, 2017May 20, 2021 Yurie Endo 遠藤由利江 10 |Middle Kamakura Period ---Bizen School, Uncategorized

9 | Middle Kamakura Period: Bizen Den (鎌倉中期備前伝)

The circle indicates the time we discuss in this section

There are many swordsmiths in the Bizen (備前) school during the early Kamakura period. However, their sword style is usually somewhat similar to that of the Yamashiro school. Therefore, they are called Ko-bizen (古備前), which means old Bizen.

The true Bizen school style emerged in the Middle Kamakura period. Bizen province had many advantages to produce great swords. The area produced high-quality iron and a large amount of firewood for fuel. Also, its location was conveniently situated to come from different places. Naturally, many swordsmiths came to the place and produced swords in quantities. Due to the competition among those swordsmiths, Bizen swords’ quality is generally higher than that of other schools. Thus, it is not easy to appraise Bizen swords since they had many subtle variations among the many swordsmiths.

Generally speaking, the following three features are the most distinctive characteristics of Bizen school.

Nioi-base tempered line. Nioi-base tempered line is finer dots than Nie-base. Dots are so small that they look almost like a line. Technically, the tempering processes of these two are the same. See the illustration below.
Ji-hada (surface of the body) looks soft.
Reflection (Utsuri) appears on the surface.

10 Nie & Nioi

Sugata (shape) —The length is about 33 inches ± a few inches. The blade is slightly wide and looks stout. The curvature of the blade is Koshizori (腰反), which means the deepest curvature comes at a lower part. The body has an average thickness. Small Kissaki.

10 Middle Kamakura ---備前刀姿

Horimono(engraving) — Engravings are rare. The shape of the tip of Hi is all the way up to Ko-shinogi and fill up the whole area.

8 Hi

Nakago ——– Long and thin with curvature. The end of Nakago is rounded and looks like a shape of the bottom of a chestnut (kuri). This shape is called Kurijiri. See the illustration of the sword above.

Hamon (tempered area pattern)—— Nioi base. The tempered area is wide, and the width is even. Also, the size of Midare (irregular wavy tempered pattern) is uniform.

Boshi — The same tempered pattern continues to go up to the Boshi area, and it often shows Choj- midare (clove-shape waves pattern) or Yakizume.

10 Boshi --- Bizen

Ji-hada — Fine and well forged. Steel looks soft. The small wood grain pattern and the large wood grain pattern are mixed together on the steel surface. Chikei (condensation of Nie) and Utsuri (cloud-like reflection) appear.

Bizen School Sword Smiths during Middle Kamakura Period

Fukuoka Ichimonji (福岡一文字) group ————-Norimune (則宗) Sukemune (助宗)
Yoshioka Ichimonji (吉岡一文字) group ——-Sukeyoshi (助吉) Sukemitsu (助光)
Sho-chu Ichimonji (正中一文字) group —————Yoshiuji (吉氏) Yoshimori (吉守)
Osafune (長船) group ————Mitsutada (光忠) Nagamitu (長光) Kagemitsu (景光)
Hatakeda(畠田) group ———————————-Moriie (守家) Sanemori (真守)
Ugai (鵜飼) group ——————————————— Unsho (雲生) Unji (雲次)

9 Middle Kamakura Bizen Fukuoka ichimonji

Fukuoka Ichimonji (一文字) from “Nippon-to Art Swords of Japan” The Walter A. Compton Collection