Doesn't oil protect the steel from spittle?

[piryohae3]

I've read in a few books that when viewing a Japanese sword you shouldn't talk because spittle can cause rusting. If the blade is already coated with a thin layer of oil, wouldn't that be enough to protect it from spittle?

[Geraint]

Dear James.

 

In many cases the sword will have been cleaned before viewing, thus removing the oil.  In any case much better to be safe than sorry, simple precautions prevent costly accidents.

 

All the best.

[piryohae3]

Is it cleaned before viewing because the oil obscures the details?

[SAS]

Yes.

[Ken-Hawaii]

I was at a sword meeting on Monday, & had to almost scrub down a blade to get the excess oil off, so that I could see the fine mokume hada...that the owner had never seen, & didn't know he had.

 

When you get to the point where you can see the fine details in a blade, you won't have to ask that question. Try ignoring the hamon, & look closely at the hada.

[piryohae3]

Interesting, I've never seen a nihonto in real life before. I suppose it's a whole different experience than from pictures. 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Oh, yeah! A world of difference!

[raynor]

Spittle is bad, if caught early a bit of bone or antler and great care and patience rubbing on the rust spot can save you a costly restoration. Even better, as mentioned - talk away from the blade.

[Stephen]

Omar

Or wear a cold mask.

Old samurai movie had owner cleaning his blade with folded paper in his mouth.

[Greg F]

My Iaido sensei and his wife are from Japan and he had never owned Nihonto so I gave him a Wakizashi as a gift to start his collection and when he drew the blade from the saya his wife handed him a tissue and he said what is this for and she told him to put it in his mouth. I was had to smile.

 

Greg

[Pete Klein]

FWIW - it's is considered a 'serious' breach of etiquette to speak over a blade at any time and if you do it at a kantei meeting you may very well be asked to put the sword down and leave the room.  It is good to remember that to the Japanese (and others) there is a spiritual component to the blade and you are basically spitting on the spirit.  Best to never do it then you won't do it by mistake, even when wearing a mask where it is expected for you to turn your head away from the blade anyway.