Natichu

Now that is quite the stunning piece. Not to sidetrack from the original topic too much, but would you mind posting the measurements of the Sukesada?

Very interested to see what the more experienced members think, but just on their face they seem quite different pieces, while both gorgeous. A large and wide Enbun-Joji sugata Yamato style katana vs a rather elegant katateuchi-seeming Bizen blade (at least to my beginner eye, given its short length, narrow width, and shorter nakago). I like them both, but would enjoy hearing what draws you to each of them.

Phenomenal, thank you very much! That is extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.

Hi Michael, Yes, it should be Hoki Province with work in the Shinshinto period (Ansei era ish), and one of the smith's names was indeed Shimizu Yoshiyuki (apparently after being adopted by another swordsmith it seems). I think you have found him there.

Just to close this particular loop, on pages 154-56 of Paul Martin's Japanese Swords and Armor, the author has included photos of several pieces of tosogu attributed to Miyamoto Musashi, as well as a bokuto attributed to him. With respect to the bokuto, Mr. Martin states the bokuto "was made by Miyamoto Musashi at the request of the lord of Matsui Castle, Matsui Yoriyuki. He asked Musashi to make a bokutō...to the same dimensions as he had used in his last duel on Ganryujima. The bokutō is of faulty standard dimensions ensuring its ease of use, just in an extended length ." (italics omitted)

Thanks so much for the photos. I can't quite tell from the photo, but was the boshi on the Kiyomitsu ichimai? Looks like it flares out at the yokote, but I can't quite tell if I see a maru and kaeri or if it's just all hardened.

Many thanks for the thoughts there Dee! Just caught my eye as aside from some of the shinshinto kinnoto, I don't know that I've seen many measurements of quite those lengths for more standard shinto katana (not that they didn't exist I'm sure, and assuming the ronin weren't carrying long ubu koto tachi).

I believe there is one of his bokuto featured in Paul Martin's latest book, but will double check when I get home. There also a few fittings that the NBTHK have certified as having been made by the man himself (including at last one set of menuki). As to the original list, what seems odd to me is the length of quite a number of them. Several of the katana are listed at 2.8 shaku, 2.9 shaku, and 3 shaku, which seems out of keeping with most Shinto era pieces. Does anyone else feel like these measurements might have included the nakago?

Thank you very much Michael! Will have a search and see about picking up a copy. If you're able to look up the smith when the book arrives, I'd very much appreciate it.

Have checked with Matsumoto Touken, who have indicated the information is from Nihonto no Kenkyu To Kantei (Shinto volume) by Tsuneishi Hideaki. Have started a thread to see about getting my hands on at least an extract but we'll see how we do!

Hi all, I'm hoping to see if anyone has access to the Shinto Edition of Nihonto no Kenkyu To Kantei by Tsuneishi Hideaki, and in particular the extract in that book about the Shinshinto smith Shohoken Yoshiyuki. I may well put up a "want to buy" thread in due course either way (I have already emailed Grey Doffin as I see he previously had a copy for sale), but figured I would see if anyone was able and willing to provide the relevant extract for my current research purposes. Many thanks in advance!

https://www.samuraishokai.jp/sword/25157.html Just in case you're still looking.

I would just say that on the boshi front, if it is Jizo boshi I do note both Nakahara and Nagayama due list Mino, and in particular Sue-Seki, for that boshi type.

The funbari on that piece seems quite something!

Thanks Oli! Glad to hear I wasn't the only one eyeing it, as it definitely caught my attention from go. I'll likely ask Matsumoto Touken in the coming days in case they have some documents to share. Will update this thread if anything comes from it.