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Tengu1957

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Everything posted by Tengu1957

  1. "To me ga are" , this is the term used in the NBTHK papers if the mei on the sword is good but the cutting test is fake.
  2. Samurai sometimes named their swords , the most interesting name I have seen was "the nasty lady" ! Here are 3 I have: 1. Koto Katana attribution to Shimada Hirosuke 72.4 cm . Name given "Sasa no Tsuyu" cuts like dew falling from a Bamboo leaf. 2. Koto Katana attribution to Bizen Den circa 1500. 75.3 cm it's also a Tameshigiri but the sword is named "Shikainami" it means the waves of the 4 seas , it references a line in the No play Takasago regarding harmony. 3. Katana signed Kashu ju Fujiwara Nagatsugu 63.9 cm sayagaki by Sato Kanzan. Sword is named "kago Tsurube" it means a woven bamboo basket - it implies it cuts as easily as water running out of a woven bamboo basket.
  3. I am a collector absolutely not a Kantei expert. I agree that it's almost unimaginable to understand the years of study that someone like Mr. Tanobe has worked at. For me personally I would take sayagaki from him over anything else. The one thing most of us can't do is to have personal access to the best swords ever made for years on end. Most of what we learn is based on observation. If someone can constantly see top grade swords whenever they want they will develop an eye for characteristics which allow them to pick out small details we can't see. Not just to schools but individual smiths. Year after year study and constant challenges to support your opinions in a professional setting give you a perspective most of us can never achieve.
  4. It's 100 monme , it's 60 lbs in weight
  5. There are certainly cultural beliefs that swords and other inanimate objects have a spirit of their own. Many temples will accept swords believed to be evil for safe keeping. Please share information about this practice if your aware of any.
  6. It was very expensive to have the test done , about the same as purchasing a new sword from one of the better sword smiths of the period . Because of the cost they wanted the results recorded. There were only about 100 recorded sword tester during the Edo period. Some sword smiths worked directly with the testers so they would make the sword then send it directly to the tester for the cut. It was like one stop shopping then. There are also fake cutting tests added to swords during the Edo period because of potential profit in selling swords with a cutting test. If you submit a sword for shinsa there is a term they will use to call out if it's a false test.
  7. Swords we're tested during the Edo period as a means of establishing the cutting ability of the sword. During the age of wars they didn't need this since the sword was tested/ used in actual battles. The practice became institutionalized and subsidized by the Bakufu ( shogunate government ). A rating system was developed for the cutting ability ( wazamono ) so swordsmiths could be judged. There were different punishments for crimes but death was one of them. They needed someone to be the executioners so the bodies became properties of the state and we're also used for testing as part of the system to judge the quality of the swords. I won't go into the whole thing but it served a purpose during times of peace to regulate the quality of swords being made. It wasn't just for the pleasure of killing people. From my perspective it's just part of the history of the sword and culture of the Samurai during a specific period.
  8. Tameshigiri is part of the history of the Japanese sword. Swords are designed to be used to cut , I don't know how you separate historically it's intended use as a weapon. Some of the best swordsmiths of the Edo period worked directly with the sword testers. If it offends you please don't look at it.
  9. Kaga Tameshigiri tests cuts by individual Samurai #2 Sue Koto sword with (2) Tameshigiri or cutting tests 69.8 cm Ubu signed Kashu Iyetsugu late Muromachi period katana with mounts 1570's Cutting test I dated in 1650's by Miyai Rokubei - two bodies cut in half. Inlayed in Kinzogan mei or gold Rokubei is a listed tester of Samurai status Cutting test 2 dated in 1650's by Fujita Yoemon - a cutting test riokaruma ,the most difficult cut through the hips. Yoemon is also a listed tester of Samurai status. Inlayed in Kinzogan mei or gold . Test cuts on Koto swords are less common Kaga Samurai conducted their own test cuts similar to the Yamano family. The Samurai were the executioners and also did the test cutting , sometimes on live condemned criminals
  10. A big part of my problem is trying to load up files from my phone. A lot of the images are very small and I have loaded up the wrong image of the 3 hole Nakago and did not notice it. The image of the Nakago with the Hi going through it is correct. If someone sees something just bring it to my attention and I can address it. It's a simple error not an attempt to misrepresent something. My phone photography skills are not great so I can be prone to making an error in trying to upload small images. I will be back at home on Friday , if anyone wants to see something let me know.
  11. Sue Koto Naginata NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon to shodai Shimada Sukemune circa 1532 Blade length 52.7 cm Nakago 50.8 cm Total length 103.5 cm Has original pole not pictured Typical wide and beefy Shimada school blade made in Soshu style.
  12. Koto O suriage Tachi NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon attribution to Bizen Morishige circa 1350 Nambokucho jidai 68.6 cm Omiya Den made swords from Nambokucho to Muromachi jidai in Omiya in Okayama city. The founder of the school was Kunimori who is said to have come from Yamashiro provence. It has an elegant Tachi shape typical from late Kamakura to Nambokucho.
  13. Koto Nagamaki Naoshi NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon attribution to Echizen Rai Den. Mid Nanbokucho 52.07 cm Echizen Rai school founded by Rai Kuniyasu , also known as Chiyozuru school Rai Kuniyasu moved from Yamashiro to Echizen mid 1300's Owari style Koshirae.
  14. Thanks jussi , my ability to take photos of swords is abysmal ! They look a lot better in hand.
  15. Tengu1957

    Sa Sadayoshi

    Koto Tachi - O suriage 75 cm 3.8 cm at Hamachi Signed Sa Sadayoshi in Kinzogan mei on both sides of the Nakago Nambokucho about 1346 Sa Sadayoshi was a student of O Sa , one of the 10 best students of Masamune There is a Horiomono of a dragon matching on both sides added during the Edo period. Sayagaki by Mr. Tanobe It is very robust and must have been typical of the Nanbokucho sword style before O suriage
  16. I feel the same way about a lot of swords I see on the NMB !!!!!!!
  17. Katana , signed Mutsu no kami Fujiwara Tsunashige 70.5 cm Shinto Kanbun circa 1670 Student of Tsunahiro , Kotetsu was said to also have been a student of Tsunahiro NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon. NTHK Hozon Tameshigiri or cutting test sword Recorded on the Nakago Shibazaki Denzaemon Masatsugu cut with this sword on the 28th day of the second month of Kanbun 10 (1671) year of the dog, through two bodies, the upper one across the collar bones and the lower at the lower abdomen ( the pelvis ) and entered the earthen mound below. Kao or personal seal of the tester This is a difficult cut for two bodies since most were alternated through the stomach. To go through the sternum and spine of the first body and pelvis of the second body is amazing ! The pelvis ( Riogaruma ) is the most difficult cut.
  18. Koto Osuriage Tachi - Bizen Omiya Morishige 75.7 cm NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon to 1st generation Morishige , late Kamakura Circa 1319 Very thick at 9 mm , very healthy. Elongated Kissaki. This is 75.7 cm long as Osuriage , this would have been a huge blade before being shortened. Koshirae is Tachi style but of the Edo jidai.
  19. Yes , what I posted was a direct translation of what the upper part said. As it was explained to me Mr Tanobe felt it had a chance of being made by Rai Kunitoshi but due to disagreement it was given the attribution of Enju. It was said he suggested to resubmit at a later date.
  20. I think the reference to ko enju and late Kamakura is what the sayagaki says. It's close enough for me. I am working from memory and not using my notes related to the sword. I'm certainly not knowledgeable enough to fully understand all of the gray areas between end of Kamakura and start of Nambokucho.
  21. Koto Osuriage Tachi 68.6 cm NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Sayagaki by Mr. Tanobe Tachi attributed to the Enju school. Enju is representative of Yamashiro Den it's roots are from the Rai school. This sword was discussed as being a work of Rai Kunitoshi at one point , but due to disagreement it was given the safer attribution of Enju. There were a few spots of Rai grain which caused the discussion. It can be said it's still open to discussion. It has an elegant Tachi shape of late Kamakura ( 1280 ) . This is a summary of the sayagaki.
  22. Koto Osuriage Tachi 68.6 cm NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Sayagaki by Mr. Tanobe Tachi attributed to the Enju school. Enju is representative of Yamashiro Den it's roots are from the Rai school. This sword was discussed as being a work of Rai Kunitoshi at one point , but due to disagreement it was given the safer attribution of Enju. There were a few spots of Rai grain which caused the discussion. It can be said it's still open to discussion. It has an elegant Tachi shape of late Kamakura ( 1280 ) . This is a summary of the sayagaki.
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