Ken-Hawaii

Seeing blades like this & the Yamatorige/Sanchomo, doesn't it seem like there is a new appreciation for Nihonto recently? Or is that just wishful thinking?

About 70 years ago, a meeting of very-senior Sensei was convened at the Kodokan to discuss how to judge all budoka on a level playing field. What came out of that meeting was the concept of Seiteigata, or the common set of kata, that can be used for fair grading of a budoka's skill, no matter which ryūha (school) he or she was trained in. For example, Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei (ZNKR) Iaido (制定) has a total of 12 kata that all iaidoka must perform to be awarded rank. So, rather than ryūha-yaburi, where a ryūha could be literally annihilated, or even dōjō-yaburi, where the other school's training hall was destroyed, martial arts now had a "gentler" way of grading...an excellent idea right after World War II. Good find, Peter.

An ideal blade to study & photograph.

From Markus: kani no te (蟹の手) – Lit. “crab hands.” Special gunome-midare interpretation with split yakigashira that protrude alternatingly to the left and right and which remind thus of crab claws. Please note that the term kani no te is used to refer to this feature when seen on Sue-Seki blades. In the case of Sue-Bizen works, the term kani no tsume (蟹の爪, lit. “crab claws”) has become established even if the same feature is described. The blade is very rough, but looks interesting enough to warrant a polish.

Really nice shots, Ray. Almost makes you wish for overcast days.

Meiji katanadansu are hard to find. That top one looks like mine, except mine has an extra top drawer. Not cheap, but excellent protection for your swords.

Ed, for everything you wanted to know about the hamon, go to https://markussesko.com/2015/05/29/kantei-3-hamon-boshi-1/ Markus discusses "tobiyaki (飛焼き) – Lit. “flying hardening (elements).” Hardened spots in the ji which are not connected to the hamon."

Wah, can you be more specific? Are you looking for a box for a single sword, or a big katanadansu?

Interesting. Thanks.

Mitsuhiro perhaps, Bruno? Oh, I see you spelled it right in the title. Check out https://www.aoijapan.net/fuchi-kashira-oite-naniwa-saku-goto-mitsuhiro-kao/for a mei.

Yoroi-doshi were usually used as spikes, Get the point into the armor, & then bash the kashira with the palm of the hand. My Sensei showed just how much force that gave by driving his blade completely through a 3" piece of bamboo. He's 83, so it didn't take a lot of bashing.

Looks more like a spike.

It's such a treasure, that it can't leave Japan!

Kirill will also be interested, as few of our blades received that many points.

I'd like to see the rest of that blade, but based on the kissaki/boshi alone, I agree that it could use some togishi TLC. Just remember that it can cost up to $100/inch, when it comes to recovering your investment.

Now, that's a bit strange. Oz has nasty gun control, but haven't heard anything about bladed weapons. Something new that eBay has started?

Stuart, do you have a blade with a specific problem? If so, please post photos, & we can try to advise you.

Yes, an excellent list!

I've had togishi turn blah blades into papered ones, but I was fairly careful in choosing a decent blade to start with. Miracles? None so far.

That can be easily arranged. John, if you want to remain an NMB member, you are obligated to follow the rules. Those preclude any & all self-polishing, which can only be done by a trained togishi (sword polisher), which you are not. If you don't like the rules, then depart NMB - otherwise, Brian will do that for you. None of us are at all interested in hearing about your exploits.

He doesn't even have a clue WHY you said that, Brian.

Looks really good in your cave.

That's fair. My rationale for Tembo (& Saotome) is that they were made made by sword tosho, so the steel should be as strong & resilient as a blade of that time.

I've handled a number of Muramasa blades, but, even as a long-time sword-swinger, I felt nothing supernatural, malign or otherwise.

Many similar tattoos here in Hawaii, based on ancient Polynesian patterns. Makes me wonder whether Jomon artisans & Polynesians ever communicated.