javier Posted August 30, 2013 Report Posted August 30, 2013 Hy Colleagues I bougth my firts nihonto in the last SF Token Kai I am a beginner I have been reading books for the last three years but all of them were more foccused in blades than in sword mountings, that´s why I was looking foward to see If more exrienced colleagues can help me providing me any information about the period, style, materials, etc of the tsuba, menuki and Fuchi. I am attaching pictures The Sword is a Shinto Kanbun Katana by Iyetada from Kaga Province. Best regards, Javier.- Quote
Brian Posted August 30, 2013 Report Posted August 30, 2013 Well....the one thing there I can comment on is the habaki. Looks like it might be the original one, and judging by this post: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14178 it seems to conform to the standard for kaga habaki. ...apparently Habaki made in Kashu (Kaga) often had 4 strokes (Hi? indentations? they looked like scattered straws to me) on one side and 5 on the other. The meaning of this 九筋 is to indicate the nine Kanji 9字をきる that make up one of the sword-fighting mantra. 臨兵闘者皆陣列在前 Brian Quote
uwe Posted August 30, 2013 Report Posted August 30, 2013 Kaga for sure, but what does it mean Uwe Quote
Baka Gaijin Posted August 31, 2013 Report Posted August 31, 2013 Good morning all, I believe the decoration on the Kaga habaki is talismanic and refers to an esoteric practice known as Kuji Kiri 九字切り ("Nine symbolic cuts") As Brian said, if you count the lines, there are four on one side and five on the other. They form a grid, this grid is known as Kuji 九字. Coupled with various incantations and hand gestures (Mudra) they were designed put the warrior into a higher elevated state of consciousness and thus ready for battle. You will see this practice superficially depicted in many Chanbara and Anime, it's become very much a part of popular culture today from back woods Ninjers (sic) to Cosplay adherants. This link may help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuji-kiri However, I think Kunitaro san can answer this better than I. Cheers Quote
uwe Posted August 31, 2013 Report Posted August 31, 2013 Thanks Malcolm, that was new to me Uwe Quote
Markus Posted August 31, 2013 Report Posted August 31, 2013 I briefly dealt with the kuji a while ago on my blog: https://markussesko.wordpress.com/2013/ ... -koshirae/ Quote
Baka Gaijin Posted August 31, 2013 Report Posted August 31, 2013 Thank you Markus, A very interesting article indeed. Cheers Quote
Ian Posted August 31, 2013 Report Posted August 31, 2013 The menuki theme is http://figal-sensei.org/hist157/Textboo ... ch7/10.htm Regards Quote
javier Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Posted September 6, 2013 Hi colleagues Thank you for sharing all this value information and knowledge !!!! It is really very interesting to understand the meaning and history behind my first nihonto thank you!!! If somebody can provide me some info. about the stuba and the fuchi I will really apreaciatte too!!! Best regards Javier.- Quote
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