Yasutake Blade 1966, Yasukuni Tosho

[Jon MB]

Hello All,

 

Got this piece from Aoi Art, an easy and smooth transaction, which I appreciate.

I am working overseas at the moment, so haven't had it in hand, but it has been

sent home without mis-hap: One of those situations where one feels the urge to

check the online tracking twice a day!

 

I was looking for a post-war piece by Yasutake or Yasuaki,

and I went for this. For some reason I am less attracted to

Yasuoki's work, which one sees for sale from time to time.

 

These pics are from the Aoi website, as I haven't taken my own yet,

any comments appreciated. (If you have anything critical to say, please

be gentle!)

 

Nagasa: 76cm

 

Personally, I love the sugata and the hamon, I leave any nie/nio comments (and more) to you experts,

or a least those who know more than I,

i.e. most of you

 

Many Thanks,

Jon MB

[Brian]

Jon,

Nice looking sword. Not sure what can be added, as I think you have most of the info. Can't see any negative points about it, looks like a nice sword by a good maker, who went on to become mukansa. One to really enjoy.

 

Brian

[Alex A]

Very nice blade Jon, from a good year too

[Jon MB]

Yes, Something good happened in 1966..! :D

 

I guess this is nor necessarily the most gripping post to most readers...

So thanks for the comments guys!

 

About dates:

1966= Showa 41.

Less popular in Japan, I assume, as 4 is not an auspicious number there.

 

I wonder if it hurt sword sales in certain years, with customers not wanting

dates like Showa 42 or 49 on the nakago of their precious new swords?

 

No tetra-phobia please!

 

Jon MB

[cabowen]

I wonder if it hurt sword sales in certain years, with customers not wanting

dates like Showa 42 or 49 on the nakago of their precious new swords?

Jon MB

 

Never heard anyone ever voice that concern in all the time I was in Japan (13~14 years)....

[Jon MB]

Ok, thanks for that info Chris. Are there any preferences regarding auspicious months or years for forging that you have encountered?

[cabowen]

Ok, thanks for that info Chris. Are there any preferences regarding auspicious months or years for forging that you have encountered?

 

Nothing about auspicious years but many blades are signed traditionally as being made in February or August regardless of when they were made....

[Jon MB]

I see comparatively few 1960's-made pieces for sale on the internet.....

Could one describe this piece as conforming to the trends in Nihonto making in that decade?

And could one describe this sword as being representative of post-war work by Yasukuni tosho?

 

Also, was the supply of tamahagane beginning to run out for some smiths in this period, or

did that only become a problem a few years later?

 

So many questions, and maybe not the right ones, but all info appreciated.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Hada looks yasukunito; hamon while still somewhat subdued is a bit more "flamboyant" than the WW2 examples, but there were limited swords produced in Bizen-den choji.

 

60's (I would guess 50's too) vs. later decades could be less due to the fact that the sword ban was only lifted in mid 50's. This would mean that less swordsmiths a were active earlier vs. say the 90's. I may be wrong, but doubt it as many of the WW2 tosho "retired" and pursued other employment during the ban as well as passed away. And it takes years to train students to become licensed.

[Jean]

That's a good one Jon :D

[Jon MB]

I notice that in this period Yasutake was using a sotobo-gata (pointed end of nakago)

in the same style as his teacher Yasumitsu had used.

 

Thanks very much for your comments, much appreciated.

 

:D

 

 

Jon MB