Sword construction in general vs. periods

[CurtisR]

Greetings all ~

I apologize in advance for the "basic" question, but in my research of the books I have, I have not been able to find an answer to this....

 

My Sensei uses a Koto period blade during practice (papered, of course), and it seems t have a fairly shallow sori and a thinner, yet still w/ bohi, blade construction. He does not use the Koto blade for Tameshigiri of course but in tests with NON Nihonto, I've found that the shallower sori as well as thinner blade @ the Mune cuts far better than one I have weighing about another 300 grams, and a thicker, "beefier" blade.

 

I was given the explanation that it is, of course, simple physics...speed of the blade, resistance (sharpness of course), angle....all of which seem to benefit the lighter blade. In looking ay Bizen period blades, they appear to be very thick at the Mune. Is there a period when Nionto smiths began intentionally forging the lighter blades? I know that in combat against armor, a heavier blade would (usually if it's a good blade) stand up to the abuse but his Koto blade is perhaps 1-2mm thinner in Mune than others.

 

Is there a period or time-frame for the lighter vs. heavier blade smithing, or is this just a matter of the smith himself and his technique? I'd also welcome input on which has been found to be more resilient in test-cutting from any perspective.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Curtis

[Toryu2020]

Curtis -

Look for info on "high" shinogi versus "low" shinogi, this should at least point you toward the various schools that used them...

-t

[CurtisR]

Thank you Thomas - I appreciate the compass bearing! I suspected it had to do with specific schools/smiths...

 

Best Regards,

 

Curt R.

[CurtisR]

Wow Thomas - you hit my question "on the head"! Thank you again...found this article to be very helpful when I googled -

 

http://www.bugei.com/niku.html

 

And thought I'd share for others who may be curious as well. I suspect Sensei knows all of this but it's more fun to find out on my own :D .

 

May I add.... !

 

Many thanks,

 

Curt R.

[chrisf]

Have a look for Taisaburo Nakamura's notes on his wartime experiences and explanation of niku.

[CurtisR]

Will do Chris - thank you. And to think, as the Japanese schools and smiths were discovering (and many times learning 'the hard way') all of these things Europe was still in the dark ages (and before). That though has always added to the beauty of Nihonto for me. And I still don't own one yet - taking advice from this Board in studying, and saving to buy one good blade vs. five that are so-so .

 

Curt

[ROKUJURO]

......as the Japanese schools and smiths were discovering....all of these things Europe was still in the dark ages (and before).......

I don't share this opinion. Japan had an advanced knowledge in their own and very narrow field of military technology, while the Europeans were not less skillful with their arms respectively. You will have to compare arms side by side and of the same period of time.

[CurtisR]

No offense meant -my ancestors were right in there as well. You're right that weapon construction can be compared side-by-side w/ the Europeans, who (obviously) killed plenty with the weapons & style of combat for the time. Including (perhaps *especially) the Norsemen.

I should have phrased it "metals smithing" although if one looks at the recent hoard discovered in the UK, many in Greece, China, etc. they obviously had a great grasp as well.

 

I still think the Nihonto smiths of that era - removed from much of the common trade routs - were amazing in their craft.

 

We in the U.S. see 250 years as a "long time", vs. literally thousands in Asia and Europe. Where most of us came from .

 

Curt