Ray Singer

島田住源義助 Shimada ju Minamoto Yoshisuke.

There are individuals such as Mike Yamasaki (tetsugendo.com) and Bob Benson (togishi.com) who can handle the process of bringing your sword to Tanobe-sensei for a sayagaki.

Jacques, note how the hamon runs across the sabigiwa and into the nakago. Also, look at the freshness of the yasurimei for a sword which dates to mid Kamakura.

And I need to disagree in kind Jacques. Aside from the kissaki, as Guido said naginatanaoshi does not exclusively refer to a modified kissaki, there is other evidence that this sword began life as a naginata. Look at the nakago, long with little tapering and a positioning of the mekugi-ana far lower in relation to the ha-machi than you would expect otherwise. Best regards, Ray

Offhand I do not recall seeing another naginata which had that shape, of a traditional naginata on one side and shinogi zukuri on the reverse. Best regards, Ray

It is not so common to see suriage Shinto swords receive Tokubetsu Hozon. With some exceptional smiths like Shodai Tadayoshi and Nakai Shigekuni there's a much better likelihood that a suriage blade will pass, but Shodai Kunisuke is not at that level. This speaks well of the quality and health of your sword. Best regards, Ray

Definitely a converted pole arm rather than a wakizashi made in this shape. Referring to the papers, a naginatanaoshi. On the basis of the blade alone, refer to the shape and length of the nakago along with the positioning of the mekugi-ana. Best regards, Ray

Hi Stephen, I do not recall a meibutsu Kiku Masamune, however there is a tanto known as the Kuki Masamune (named for a former owner). As far as the kiku you are seeing in the sword, I am doubtful that this was an intentional structure forged in the steel. What I am seeing there are chikei. While chikei can run with physical layers of steel, it can also cross the grain and take on shapes which are independent from the forging pattern. My point being that the pattern you see composed of nie in the ji is not necessarily a match to the forging pattern and most likely could not be controlled to execute such a specific shape as a kiku. The pattern of chikei also may change as the sword is polished down. With no insult intended, I view this more like seeing shapes in clouds or stars. With a complex enough base pattern you can pretty much see whatever you may be looking for. Best regards, Ray

I agree with Uwe. On the reverse, I can only make out Ju. 武蔵守藤原兼中 住 Separately, if you tap the rust with the flat of your nakago-nuki gently then the rust patches will dislodge and fall off. Best regards,

Hi Stephen That is a very low resolution image, but what you highlighted looks like a shape that is defined more by the hadori work than an actual artifact of the blade. On the left, the border is the outer limits of the hadori. On the right it is a line of nie arching out of the hamon becoming chikei. Perhaps others can see more here or there is an oshigata we can refer to. This seems quite different from the other example in one of the Hocho Masamune, with a fan-based structure extending from the hamon into the ji. Best regards, Ray

As Hoanh said, being mumei of course has impact on value. If this sword were ubu and signed (it already appears to be ubu) then the chances are that it would be Tokubetsu Hozon or higher and would have a accordingly higher sale price. Although it is mumei it is nice to see that there are three attributions all going to Kunihiro (shumei, Tanobe-sensei and the NBTHK). It appears to be a very beautiful sword, and was a rare opportunity to get an authenticated example by this Saijo smith at such a reasonable price point. Best regards Ray

Hi Taran, My understanding is that the Botanzukuri is more important for the koshirae than the blade, as it is an intact Nambokucho period mounting. I would recommend the Yamanaka newsletters as a good reference which includes information on both the Botanzukuri Koshigatana and the Hotarumaru. Best regards, Ray

I am not certain how many of those swords have been located since the list was written. At least one, the Akihiro, was found a couple of years ago and has been written about in this discussion forum (findable under the keyword Akihiro). It may be the only one. Separately, perhaps the finest and most important missing swords and one not included in that list is the missing National Treasure named Hotarumaru (蛍丸), an ubu odachi by Rai Kunitoshi. Unlike the Honjo Masamune, which was judged to be a less-than-spectacular sword by the scholars who studied it prior to becoming lost, the Hotarumaru was considered one of the best of the Kokuho. It disappeared from Aso-jinja (Aso shrine) along with the Botazukuri koshigatana. Considering the legends surrounding the Hotarumaru, and that fact that it was a masterpiece among masterpieces, it would get my vote for the most interesting sword to base a book on.

Taran, see below. http://www.sydneytokenkai.com/new-page-10.htm Best regards, Ray

It does not answer your question about body cutting tests, however nagamaki (koto and shinshinto) were used in the extreme cutting tests described in the article below. http://www.nihontocraft.com/Aratameshi_Nihonto.html Best regards, Ray

Whoever wrote that "sayagaki" may have intended to write Heianjo Nagayoshi rather than Heianjo Yoshinaga.

Now listed, officially. http://www.aoijapan.com/wakizshi-mumei-atttributed-as-norishige Time for a second mortgage.

Heianjo Nagayoshi comes to mind. Best regards, Ray

Very nice example. They are usually more careful to exclude the sayagaki from their kantei blades. Nagamakinaoshi seem to be rare for this smith. The sayagaki does not indicate if it is already Juyo, but Tanobe-sensei gave his chinchin juju notation. Best regards, Ray

Too true, I definitely get it. A bit of information below. Also, Grey Doffin wrote a longer article on oshigata making for the JSSUS and has offered to share it with members in the past who requested a copy. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/oshigata.html It was Grey's oshigata demonstration I was thinking of, and at the moment only see videos online for his sword etiquette demos (also worth watching). Best, Ray

IMHO, it's a great educational opportunity to go through this process yourself. A nice way to intimately study the details of a sword you own and see features you might otherwise have overlooked. I believe that there was a video tutorial on oshigata drawing online that was filmed at a past sword show. If I can find it, I will share the link here. Best regards, Ray

One of the more beautiful gendaito I have seen was an Ota Chikahide that Moses Becerra sold. I likewise would appreciate seeing additional examples of his work. Best regards, Ray

Sold and donation placed to the NMB. Thank you Tim. Best regards, Ray

Appears to be signed Uda Kunimune. Best regards, Ray

Yes, that is true. It is the digital book I was thinking of, which I believe Roger will sell through his site. Best, Ray