Tanshu Daido

[paulb]

Dear All,

In issue 683 of the NTHK magazine There is a Katana by Tanshu Daido illustrated. If I read the comment correctly this is a different smith to the Daido normally discussed as the founder of the mishina school and father of Kinmichi, Yoshimichi et al.

To quote the journal:

" This Daido is renowned among sword connoisseurs as he was invited by Hosakowa Fujitaka who was well versded in old customs and manners of the warrior elite, to make swords in his domains. As a result he moved from Mino to Tanobe (presently Maizuru) in Tango province."

 

Some years ago I wrote a paper on the Mishina Daido and remember when doing it I read that he had a brother, also called Kanemichi and that their work was indestinguishable. I am wondering whether this is the brother or whether there was yet another one coming out of Mino at the same time, This sword is dated 1585, and working for Hosakawa Fujitaka.

Any information on this smith would be gratefully received.

Thank you

Paul

[Brian]

Paul,

Might it be this smith? http://www.users.on.net/~coxm/oshigata% ... 20k17.html

They have this to say about him:

This smith is Daido Naofusa who moved from Mino to Tanabe village in Tango Province (Tanshu) by invitation of Hosokawa family. His work is somewhat different from Mino smiths at that time, and more in earlier Mino Shizu style.

Also some info found from http://www.nihontocraft.com/Ura_Nihon_no_Toko.html saying:

Daido Naofusa made this blade. He was employed by the Hosokawa family. This work is atypical compared to conventional Mino workmanship from this period. The ji-gane of this blade is the hada-kitae of cold weather areas. The blade has weak a yakiba. This was intentionally done to enhance its performance as a weapon. It is the representative work of Daido Naofusa and its antique style reminds us of Shizu.

 

Brian

[paulb]

Hi Brian,

Thank you this is spot on. It is the same sword published in the journal. Interesting that they describe the yakiba as weak. On the example published and another I am looking at I wouldnt say it was weak. Difused might be a better term where the layers of sunagashi interact with the nie to produce a crumbled or torn effect.

The next question when looking at the inscription which says "Daido Saku" does the Naofusa come in. Same smith as the original? second generaton?

Thank you you have got me a step closer to the man. Much appreciated.