Why So Few Hirazukuri Katana?

[Ken-Hawaii]

Thanks for the photos, Carlo. So hirazukuri blades were conceptualized early-on, & then tosho changed their designs into shinogizukuri when the thinner blades broke in battle or duels, right?

 

Interesting, Steve. The classes I teach in tameshigiri definitely don't include super-thin blades, & shinken cut just fine...when students learn about hasuji. No need to cheat.

 

Ken

 

[John Anderson]

I'm not a member but interested in the topic of Japanese swords.

Hira zukuri mainly in wakizashi and tanto, i.e. lighter and shorter range weapons.

Could it be that they were employed more in street and urban settings rather than set piece battlefields?

If so, perhaps generally softer/unarmoured/civilian targets to deal with.

I have a katana - Tomoshige/Fujishima, . mid 16th century, two character signature - in terrible condition

from a collector's perspective.

BUT, I paid about $4 for it when a boy in England in 1959.

 

Cheers, John Anderson, Nanaimo, BC, Canada

 

[ROKUJURO]

John,

I think this (seven years old) topic was mainly dealing with the difference in SUGATA (HIRA ZUKURI vs. SHINOGI ZUKURI) and not so much about blade length.

We are curious to see your blade. If it is salvageable, I'd like to pay you  $ 8.-- for it so you'll make a 100% gain on it!  

[John Anderson]

Rokujuro, 

 

I regret I cannot accept your kind offer - over the last sixty years I have made a scabbard, bound the hilt etc so it looks fine to hang.

Believe me, the blade is toast, every conceivable kizu.... - shinogi totally rounded, yokote virtually invisible........... But it looks nice on the wall.

But it has interesting company. I have read numerous comments on high/low shinogi, kasane this and kasane that.......

 

I recently acquired a wakizashi with the following vital statistics:- attributed Uda Kunimune, late 14th - early 15th century, NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon;

mune - 0.68cm and 0.45cm . shinogi - 0.64cm and 0.42cm....... LESS than mune!     Mihaba - 2.80cm and 1.82cm. Weight (blade only) - 462 g.

Nagasa - 56.3 cm.    Sori - 1.50 cm ....... is slightly koshi-sori.

This blade has two grooves each side - wide above narrow - bo-bi with soe-bi.

It seems a blade of fairly marked taper and curve, somewhat recalls late-Kamakura to my inexpert eye. 

In X-section it is closer to hira zukuri than typical shinogi zukuri, but has the shinogi, yokote etc features.

 

I have seen very few references to blades with low shinogi - how common/uncommon they are, who favoured them, why, when.........???

FWIW - I'm pleased with the blade - it keeps me off the streets!

 

Cheers, John Anderson

[Jon]

21 hours ago, John Anderson said:

Believe me, the blade is toast, every conceivable kizu.... - shinogi totally rounded, yokote virtually invisible

Hi John I would not write the blade off unless it has a specific fatal flaw or has had a skilled polisher confirm it cannot be saved…shinogi, Yokote can all be reshaped by a skilled polisher…it’s only dead if it’s got a fatal flaw or is just to tired for another Polish.

[John Anderson]

Hello Jon,

Thanks for your interest. Here's the Tomoshige blade - in near dead condition I suspect.

The tsuba is a better bet - signed by Tadeshige, Yamashiro, circa 1750.

[Jon]

I see what you mean, there has been some serious rust going on by the looks of the pitting and it looks like someone has removed it with a belt sander…it’s a mess I will give you that.