Sukaira

Just wanted to share some images for study that Keisuke over at https://www.katana-case-shi.com shared with me today during a chat. In the order from the title.

Good to know - thanks!

Commissioned a new sayagaki from Tanobe sensei. Looking for translation - thank you in advance.

@anguilla1980 That is a solid first pick up for Sukesada. Also I just wanted to share a close up of that Yosozaemon that @klee posted, because I also downloaded the original image You really don't see (or at least I have not) long Kinsuji running through the ha in Sue-Bizen pieces. Just proves the smiths had all the knowledge and skills, just not the time or resources (or maybe even just the reason) sometimes.

Juyo Token

@klee thanks! What Kyushu schools did you switch to? Hizen, Enju, Satsuma...something else?

That's true, could also be that. I asked Shono-san at Seiyudo and he says "Kakushitogane is a rare mark that swordsmiths use to confirm that they themselves made it" so maybe that clears it up?

That Yosozaemon was absolutely insane. I have 2 nice ones I can show from Bizen, Sengoku era. 1. Gorozaemon no Jo Kiyomitsu 1537 2. Bishu Osafune Sukesada 1567

All very possible reasons. Does anyone by chance know of anything similar from Naotane to compare to? Maybe it was something he did on other specific blades also? Maybe at the request of the customer? @PNSSHOGUN good question, this one is actually Soshu style, so yeah that would probably rule out Ichimonji @Natichu sure - check below.

I agree that hamon was a bit...different..but I am not really familiar with that smith. Maybe his style is off beat skinny vertical spikes with tobiyaki? Maybe they didn't want to bring out the good good stuff.

Wanted to share a Taikei Naotane that I recently acquired that has a secret engraving for "Ichimonji" on the bottom. Is anyone else familiar with this type of thing? Is there a specific reason(s) or is it just a total "this would be cool" kinda thing?

don't breath around the sword, but let me show how bendy it is

Yeah I am not sure what the standard is for Tanzan/Tanobe to do a sayagaki, but just as an example...I currently have 5 blades (2 Koto, 1 Shinto, 2 Shinshinto) in Japan right now getting sayagaki from Tanobe, plus 1 already here with me...so I would have to go with the higher numbers in the thousand(s)

Will check this out - thanks!

This was an interesting read!