Would like info on a short sword

[Jim Lewis]

I have three short swords. We got them in Japan during the occupation in the early and mid 1950s. My folks were American Embassy, not military. I was a junior and senior in high school.

 

I know very little about swords. I have one old book which I seem to have mislaid right this moment :? Anyway, I'd like any info any of you have on these -- for my personal edification only.

 

Here are some pics of the first. The scabbard is of plain wood (I understand these were what blades were kept in when not in use or on display). It is 17.5 inches long (including the handle). The tang has Kanji on both sides.

 

We were told it was made by a Kanenori in about 1558. Written in pen around the top of the handle (grip) (where the tang goes into the handle) is: "Eikuko 8th Year 1560." I assume my father wrote it.

 

Here are some pics. (I'll try to remember to load them in reverse next time.)

 

Any info you might have on the supposed maker and what the engraving on the tang says will be appreciated.

[Jim Lewis]

I'm doing something wrong. My message 1 shows that 4 pics WERE downloaded. Three show. Message 2 says I downloaded a pic. It does not show, but you can click to bring up a picture of it. Is there something I don't see here?

 

Anyway, thanks for any info you may have.

[Stephen]

nice little tanto, signed Kanenori saku dated Eiroku ichi...1558 theres about.

[Brian]

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum. That is a nice looking tanto there, I especially like the hi (groove) running through the tang. Wish it was in better polish so that we could see the hamon (temperline) but looks in good condition and quite healthy from what we can see.

 

Btw..the image is just a size thing. If pics are over 800 wide, then to prevent the screen scrolling, it makes it a download link instead of showing directly.

 

Regards,

Brian

[Jim Lewis]

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum. That is a nice looking tanto there, I especially like the hi (groove) running through the tang. Wish it was in better polish so that we could see the hamon (temperline) but looks in good condition and quite healthy from what we can see.

 

Btw..the image is just a size thing. If pics are over 800 wide, then to prevent the screen scrolling, it makes it a download link instead of showing directly.

 

Regards,

Brian

 

Thanks all. "Hamon" . . . is that the temper line? In MY book (which I found) it is called the "yakiba." I don't see a "hamon" on the illustration of blade nomenclature. There are 20 pages of "varieties of yakiba" illustrations.

 

I can't imagine there is anyone within 500 miles of me qualified to clean and polish any of these. They've been stored with heavily oiled blades wrapped tightly in plastic wrap (then fitted back into then scabbards) for the last 20 years. (I can feel the shudders from here. ) I cleaned them carefully this morning with a solvent and a very soft cloth. Any suggestions as to how they should be kept from here on out?

 

The book I have is "Nippon-to, The Japanese Sword" by Inami Hakusui, Cosmo Publishing Co., Tokyo, 1948. It is a falling-apart first edition. I know there are many newer books, but with just 3 swords it doesn't seem likely I'll fork out the money for any of them as I do for netsuke or ukiyoe books -- or bonsai books.

 

I thought I'd made the pic at 600 pixels, which is the limit on my bonsai board, but I guess not. I'll take more care.

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Hi Jim.

 

Welcome from another >20 years Bonsai enthusiast (Crespi student).

God damn global warming.

 

Yakiba = Yaki + Ha , whole tempered part.

Ha+Mon = the temperline, border of the Ha.

 

I've a similar Mino Tanto but unsigned.

 

Drop me a mail and I'll reply with the page of my archive about Hamon :

 

tsubame1@tin.it

 

or visit the links in my website :

 

http://xoomer.alice.it/tsubame/ZZZZZZ_BLADES_LINKS.htm