Bohi Cut Into Kissaki On Soji Yoshihara Sword?

[terminus]

Hi

I noticed the end of bohi on this specific katana was cut "into" the the kissaki. I've never seen a bohi like it before. Anyone know what might be the reason? Is this a specific traditional style? if so, what's the name? 


 

 

 

Thanks,

Tony

[Guido]

Hmmm, actually it's quite common, and called 樋先上がる hisaki-agaru.

[Ray Singer]

In this particular case, notice that this is not a shinogi zukuri blade. The bohi may appear to cross into the kissaki in an unusual way because the yokote runs from ha to mune. The body of the blade is hirazukuri.

 

Regards,

Ray

[obiwanknabbe]

is it not odd, in of itself, that there is a Yokote line on a hirazukuri blade? 

 

Kurt K

[Ray Singer]

I don't know if there is a precedent for this type of sugata. The lower part of the sword looks like one of the (extended) Bizen Kanemitsu utushi-mono the brothers produce. Not sure why the yokote was added. Perhaps this was simply the smith being creative or a custom order.

 

- Ray

[Eric Santucci]

Kurt K,

 

Good question - I asked myself that very question when I purchased a wakizashi that was hirazukuri with a yokote.  Apparently, it is very odd, but it does happen from time to time.  I should say that this is only the second blade I have ever seen like that (mine being the other one).  I will dig up some pics and post them later. 

[SwordGuyJoe]

Not adding much to the conversation, but this is a lovely sword!  My only critique, based strictly on my preference, would be that the bo-hi and soe-hi to align on each side - even if it would leave more "blank space" on the side of the Sanskrit inscription.  I have a Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa katan that has bonji on each side of the blade, with similar bo-hi/soe-hi work and they line up perfectly.  Again, just my preference and isn't worth the paper this post is written on.

 

[terminus]

I don't know if there is a precedent for this type of sugata. The lower part of the sword looks like one of the (extended) Bizen Kanemitsu utushi-mono the brothers produce. Not sure why the yokote was added. Perhaps this was simply the smith being creative or a custom order.

 

- Ray

Yea, I think you got it right on the mark. It's a huge blade too, the thickness is 3.53cm and the length is 78cm!