bBark

The classification of swords based on the context of the time they were made/used is something that I am trying better to understand. When I look at the modern classifications everything seems quite straightforward and simple (possibly for the sake of shinsa) but as you mentioned, not everything falls perfectly into such a convenient and straightforward system. Sunnobi tanto are interesting as an example because any with nagasa over 30.3 cm would be categorized as wakizashi within the current system but the intended use could be in line with a tanto given the context of the swords creation. I think that's what I find the most difficult with sugata and length: understanding the contemporary use/intent. How does one decide between sunnobi tanto or ko-wakizashi?

Thank you for all the information. The use of kata kiri ha zukuri to reduce weight makes sense but I would imagine that a bohi would work just as well. My personal suspicion was that it might have been seen as fashionable since it was something that came from the mainland China. Thank for for the links too, the last article especially was an interesting and informative read. Nanbokucho tanto are the ones that I have the most difficulty with given how large they got. Where would one draw the line between tanto and wakizashi for the period? I would assume form and intended use would dictate that outside of modern conventions defining swords based on length.

Hi, lately I have been interested in sugata, mainly how tanto sugata evolved, but I came across kata kiri ha zukuri and it got me curious. I am mainly curious about what the practical reasons would be for a sword in such a form as opposed to shinogi zukuri or other more common forms. I get the impression that it wouldn't be as efficient as a weapon. If anyone could help provide some insight into it I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you, Brendon Also, I apologize if there is already a thread discussing this, I used the search and was not able to find anything.

I'm thinking one of the Yamato schools or early Mino (given the clear hada). It's in old polish so there might be hidden activity but I don't know if it can survive much more polishing. I am thinking of possibly sending it for shinsa but I don't know of anywhere that would be able to do so on my behalf at a reasonable price. If anyone has any recommendations I would be interested in hearing them. Thanks for all the insight Brendon

I agree that Kaneuji is a long shot. I think the blade shows a mix of Yamato (tegai maybe?) and soshu. Interestingly, I think if there is utsuri that it might be nie utsuri. I can see what I think is nie through the hamon and hada. I am not sure how widespread nie utsuri was outside of Rai blades though and I don't think this is a Rai piece. Thanks for the advice, I will see if anything pops out to me that I might not have noticed. Probably will take some time with my inexperienced eye but will be a good exercise.

Thanks for the replies. Ken, as much as I would like to take credit for the photography it was provided by the seller and better than I could ever do. I thought wakizashi but seller said it was nanbokucho tanto which makes sense given how some tanto were constructed hirazukuri and over 1 shaku but not sure about this long. I read through Markus Sesko's site in the past and admittedly forgot a lot so I started reading through his Kantei series again recently. Lots of information there. Paul, I completely agree that it needs more study. I am mostly looking to narrow any study, especially considering that mumei blades can be more difficult. Supposedly there is utsuri present in the blade. I always have trouble seeing it, but if it's shirake utsuri, it would point more to Mino. Not sure if it helps, but the seller seemed to think it was possibly a Mino Kaneuji work. That seems a little lofty to me, but Naoe Shizu wouldn't necessarily be surprising.

Hi all, I am new here although I have used the forums here for reference and to help find information in the past. Recently I purchased a blade for the first time in years and was hoping that some of the members could provide some insight for me. It has a nagasa of 37 cm and sori of 0.6 cm making it either a wakizashi or extended tanto. It looks soshu to me which makes sense as it was sold to me as early Mino/shizu but it also looks sort of Taima. Lots of activity on he blade especially in the thin hamon. Unfortunately I don't have any hands on experience with these kinds of blades and I have been limited to using whatever pictures I can find as reference. Any insight by those more experienced is greatly appreciated. Thank you, Brendon Link to older photo of the blade: https://nihonto.dilanhosting.com/archive/images/Blade%20(32)1.jpg