Bryce

G'day Guys, I think that Japanese dealer was spot on. I think the Ishida Masamune had a massive influence on Gassan Sadakatsu. The earliest mention I have come across of Soshu Masamune Den on a Gassan blade was the blade that started this thread. It is a Sadakazu daisaku by Sadakatsu dated Meiji 30 (1897). What I first noticed about this blade is that it is a dead ringer for Sadakatsu's usual Showa period blades. The sugata is very different to the usual Gassan blades being produced up to this point, but almost identical to the Ishida Masamune. I don't think that can be a coincidence? Here is a comparison photo of the Ishida Masamune (top) and the blade signed Sadakazu Meiji 30 (below). Cheers, Bryce

G'day Khalid, Check out the Gassan thread. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Guys, Just came across this video of these two guys showcasing a Gassan Sadakazu blade dated 1888. Unfortunately for me it is all in Japanese, but the ayasugi hada and hamon is very similar to the 1920 dated Sadakatsu I posted above. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Guys, Here is another Gassan from the internet. This one was signed Sadakazu, but was probably done by Sadakatsu. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Guys, A Japanese dealer made the comment that he thought one of these blades by Sadakatsu resembled the Ishida Masamune sword. After tracking down a description of this blade on the internet I have to agree. Sadakatsu's Showa era blades closely match this sword, both in sugata, hada and hamon. e-Museum - Sword with no sign, by Masamune (celebrated Ishida Masamune) (nich.go.jp) Cheers, Bryce

G'day, I have only been to the Tokyo National Museum, but thought the nihonto display there was excellent. My only criticism would be the relatively small number of blades on display, but the lighting was excellent. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Neil, I have 9 different examples in my files including yours. I don't know if that includes the DTI or Gassan Sadatoshi examples. No doubt there are more that I haven't seen yet. I haven't documented all of the tanto examples yet, but there are a lot of them, at least ten. Cheers, Bryce

Fantastic contributions guys. There is some beautiful work on display on this thread now, but there must be plenty more out there. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Brian, That pic came from a Christie's auction. I am afraid there is nothing legit about that Sadakazu. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Peter, Has that been polished down a bit? Cheers, Bryce

Thanks guys. Come on there must be more out there? Cheers, Bryce

G'day guys, Dragons are common subjects for horimono. There are many different styles out there. They pop up on this forum from time to time and people will often comment that this example is good, this example not so good and so on. If you are doing research on them it is difficult to find many examples in one place. I have discovered that it is also very difficult to take a good photo of one. I thought it might be a good idea to dedicate a thread to them. I will start it with this example by Gassan Sadakatsu dated 1920. Cheers, Bryce

Another interesting detail about this blade is that the hamon is gunome and follows the ayasugi hada. Normally Sadakatsu put a suguha or notare hamon on his ayasugi blades. Cheers, Bryce

It is interesting to compare this subtle ayasugi, with the high contrast variety Gassan Sadakatsu also produced using mixed steels. High contrast from a 1943 dated blade left and 1920 subtle variety right. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Guys, Some better photos of the 1920 dated 67cm katana by Gassan Sadakatsu done in ayasugi. Cheers, Bryce

Thanks Jan, So they represent two of the five great wisdom kings, Fudo Myoo and Daiitoku Myoo. Both are protective entities. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Guys, I am wondering if someone can help me with the significance of these bonji on a katana by Gassan Sadakatsu. I think the top one represents Fudo Myo, the next Amida and lastly a stylised lotus throne. Loosely I think these equate to strength and kindness/wisdom. Am I on the right track? Cheers, Bryce

Yeah it definitely still had the tassel when it was surrendered. Couple of other interesting things, the tsuka was covered with the less common laced up leather wrap, which is still with the sword and General Uno was wearing spurs. Did he have a cavalry connection or was that standard dress for generals? Cheers, Bryce

G'day Guys, I visited the Jezzine Barracks Military Museum in Townsville yesterday. On display they have the sword of Major General Uno which was surrendered to Lt Col Ewan Robson in Banjarmasin, Kalimantan. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Guys, Back in January I was lucky enough to visit Japan for a holiday with the family. I was planning on getting a nihonto fix while I was in Tokyo, but unfortunately I had to cut short my holiday to return home to prepare for a looming cyclone. As a result I only had one day in Tokyo, but I did get to visit the Tokyo Museum which had 11 blades on display. Obviously the blades were all behind glass, so it was a bit hard to see a lot of detail. I should have come prepared with a small telescope like I saw some of the locals using. Here are some photos of the blades which were on display. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Guys, Here are some shots of the Gassan Sadayoshi yoroi-doshi tanto dated 1863. I believe the blade was made and signed by Sadakazu for his master. Cheers, Bryce

G'day Guys, I pulled out my iphone to try and capture some good images of my mumei blade, attributed by the NTHK to the shodai Chounsai Tsunatoshi. What do you think? Cheers, Bryce

G'day Nicholas. I like it. I don't think the yasurime is sloppy. I think it may be early gendai. It almost reminds me of Gassan work. Do the numbers on the fittings correspond to those painted on the nakago? Cheers, Bryce

G'day John, Here are some shots of my 94. Cheers, Bryce