O koumori

John et al, I found one that looks close - Kanewaka I - in Malcolm's Mino-to. Interestingly enough, he refers to the hamon as hako-midare...I am continually humbled by Nihonto study - where I have to be ready to give up what I think I know! Thanks again to all for your help. Dan K.

Hello, Thanks to all for responding. I will check out Kanewaka. I have not seen the Muramasa being discussed, but there is an oshigata of a second gen. with yahazu gunome in Art and the Sword Vol.8 on page 25. The nakago on this wak would rule this out. Nagayama shows yahazu midare on a Odawara Soshu tanto on page 204, but the hamon is not regular as is the case with the wak. The yasurime, although not clear because of “cleaning” (argh!) is higaki rather than sujikai – but only on the omote. Is this common? Thanks again for all your help! Regards, Dan K.

Hello Tom, Yes, masame above the shinogi. The hira looks to be O mokume mixed with masame, becoming mostly masame at the yakiba. There is sunagashi and a few kinsiji that generally follow the line of the suguha portion of the hamon right through the base of the yahazu. Dan

Merci, Mathiew! (and that's all the French I know...) Dan K.

Hi Steve, "Sa group" was quoted from Hawley's... Probably in this context Hawley is using the word "group" as "school" or lineage. He lists Mitsufusa from Aki as MIT 30, and 2 Aki smiths named "Sa' 1394 and 1441, SA 7 and SA 8. There was a smith now known as "O Sa" who founded the Cikuzen Sa School, who was supposedly a student of Masamune. Not, as far as I know, related to the Aki bunch; Hawley lists him as SA 11. Hope this helps. BTW I'm using the "Commemorative Centenary Edition" (2 vol set) of Hawley's. Don't know if that makes a difference or not - I'm kinda new at this. Regards, Dan K.

Aki Mitsufusa (1469) was from "Sa group" Dan K.

Only lists AKi and "Son of Mitsufusa" Dan K.

Has anyone ever seen a “pure” yahazu hamon? I’ve never seen straight yahazu before - only mixed with other patterns - this one has me puzzled. I’m guessing later Mino, probably Shinto, but who? 51.4 cm nagasa, nakago has been “cleaned,” higake yasurime on the omote, kiri on the ura. Mumei. Any thoughts / comments would be much appreciated. Regards, Dan K.

Hi Ron, Thanks for the welcome. "Intimidating" - yes, it took me a long time to get up the courage to publicly air my ignorance -instead of "lurking" so here I am... Dan

Hello, Although I have been reading the Board messages for a while, I've now "officially" joined. I've been studying Nihonto for 4 or 5 years, and am therefore a beginner. I currently live in NW Arkansas. I hope to learn much through interaction... Dan