nihonto1001 Posted June 22, 2014 Report Posted June 22, 2014 Here is something you don't see every day, a 72.5 cm Ken. http://onihonto.com/Hizen_Yasunori_Ken.html It is signed, Hizen Kuni Yasunori Saku. Enjoy. Feel free to comment. Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Largest ken I've ever seen, that's for sure. Thanks! Ken (no relation) Quote
sanjuro Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Is it my imagination, a trick of the light/perspective, or is this blade slightly leaf shaped (as in the sides are not absolutely parallel)? Quote
Stephen Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Keith May be from polising a few times? i see it as well. Quote
cabowen Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Keith May be from polising a few times? i see it as well. It's a shinsakuto, probably only polished once. Quote
sanjuro Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 It's a shinsakuto, That is what prompted my question. The original polish would have only established the shape intended, therefore I guess the blade being a particularly long one lent itself well to a slightly leaf shape. Its sure not an accident, and if it were once parallel then any subsequent polishing would have maintained that parallel if it were at all possible. In any event it is a stunning blade, and the subtle leaf shape makes it quite an elegant piece I think. Quote
nihonto1001 Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Posted June 23, 2014 blade slightly leaf shaped Regarding the shape, this is something the smith/togishi would have done purposefully. Many of the Ken depicted in woodblock prints are of this shape. It's a shinsakuto, probably only polished once. Not that the two terms are meant to be mutually exclusive, but I believe "Gendaito" is more accurate because the smith has been deceased for over 20 years. However, it has only been polished once. We had an interesting discussion about Gendaito v. Shinsakuto a while back: http://nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=c689911998358c1bda3a3aec5adcb4e6 In my opinion, it needs a good habaki to be top shelf. Quote
Brian Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Yes, that slightly "waisted" shape is not uncommon, and appropriate imho on one this long. Very nice and unusual. Brian Quote
cabowen Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 It's a shinsakuto, probably only polished once. Not that the two terms are meant to be mutually exclusive, but I believe "Gendaito" is more accurate because the smith has been deceased for over 20 years. However, it has only been polished once. We had an interesting discussion about Gendaito v. Shinsakuto a while back: http://nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=c689911998358c1bda3a3aec5adcb4e6 Seems there is no established rule. You can call it gendaito or shinsakuto. I wasn't aware the smith was deceased... Quote
nihonto1001 Posted June 24, 2014 Author Report Posted June 24, 2014 Chris, I thought I read somewhere that he died in 1979. However, I cannot find the reference again. So, I may be mistaken. Quote
Fuuten Posted June 26, 2014 Report Posted June 26, 2014 I think that in the earliest of times, Japanese artisans created mainly straight-swords, in all lengths.. Quote
Darcy Posted June 29, 2014 Report Posted June 29, 2014 Yes definitely don't see one this size very often. Do we even call it a ken at that size? Maybe a tsurugi? I don't know if that's just western use though. Leaf shape is also pretty normal in ken, from very slight to somewhat exaggerated. Parallel edges also exist but are more in the minority. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.