Bruce Pennington Posted September 7, 2020 Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 After doing some research into Kikusui on gunto, I've discovered some interesting tid-bits, which may not be news to some of us, but I'll post what I've found. If anyone sees something I've missed or has something to add, please do! According Dan King, “A Tomb Called Iwo Jima,” the crest we know today as the Kikusui was the clan crest of a 14th Century Samurai, Kusunoki-Masa-sige , who fought to the death proclaiming “But that I had seven lives to give to the Emperor!” (at least the saying is attributed to him). “The Japanese military used … the crest … as a symbol of devotion and self-sacrifice. The Navy adopted Minatogawa Jinja as their sacred shrine.” Crests are found on blades, nakago, and habaki. Stylized Kikusui are found on tsuba, menuki, and mon. They are hand-crafted, not stamped. Most come with a 9-petal chrysanthemum (one mon found with 7 petals) sitting atop an S-shaped flowing river. The rivers mostly fall into 3 styles. Style 1: Three Parallel lines : The sample group is small, but all observed of this version are squared at the ends Style 2: 3-2-3 Ends slanted Ends Squared This version is created two ways: 2 parallel lines with the third added at the top and bottom ; Or: 2 parallel lines with the third added in the bends of the river. Style 3: 2-1-2 Two parallel lines merge to one in the center and emerge as 2 at the bottom. The third line is simulated by adding curves at each bend. Style 4: 2-1-3 Two parallel lines merge to one in the middle, coming out as three at the bottom 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted September 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 A Kikusui on a fuchi (note only 7 petals) Kikusui-themed menuki Of course Kikusui are found on things other than swords: A yari case (style 2 slanted) Kikusui-themed tsuba A Mini-submarine A shirasaya 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfson Posted September 7, 2020 Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 Nice thread Bruce. Arnold Frenzel bought a huge embroidered flag that was from Minatogawa and had a giant kikusui on it. I wonder where it is now? Hopefully somebody will post a Mishina school blade with a kikusui hamon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IJASWORDS Posted September 7, 2020 Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 Nice! All the examples you show have the SUI, (the S) flowing water, open ended. Especially the Shrine and official Navy insignia. A minor detail I know, but maybe a guide to identifying poor reproductions? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave R Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 Here's another example.... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted September 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 How interesting! A 7-petal, like the fuchi mon, and my first 1-1-1 pattern, going the other way, no less! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george trotter Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 Bruce san, I recall seeing a Type 98 gunto (signed Kaneuji?/Masauji?) a few decades ago...with a kikusui engraved on the BLADE, about 1 inch forward of the habaki. If my ancient memory is not confused, the hamon was Mt fuji appearing through the clouds, again, just in front of the habaki. So long ago, may have been 2 different swords...but just thought you should know the kikusui has been seen on a showato? blade. Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted September 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 Yes, George, I've seen a couple (here's one). I've also seen a discussion (no pictures unfortunately) of one for sale with a Seki stamp ON THIS THREAD. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george trotter Posted September 9, 2020 Report Share Posted September 9, 2020 Well there you go...so I wasn't dreaming. Thanks Bruce...you are on the ball as usual. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted September 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2020 A thought on the 2-1-3 design - I had initially thought them to be crude and/or sloppy attempts at the kikusui, but the idea occurred to me that the top 2 lines are tight and the bottom 3 are wide giving the visual impression that the river is flowing toward the viewer, with the top farther away and the bottom nearer. Didn't expect to sit in on an art appreciation class, did you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16k Posted September 10, 2020 Report Share Posted September 10, 2020 Bruce, Your threads and studies will never cease to amaze me. I think that without you, I would never have noticed there were so many variants of the Kikusui. Keep this up and one day, write a book with all your discoveries. Your dedication to those subjects is amazing. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted September 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2020 Thanks JP! It's just something I enjoy! Now .... to figure out how to get paid for it!!!! Ha! If I ever get enough together to qualify for a book, that's something that would be fun to look into. You, and half the guys here, will all get free copies for your contributions to our hobby. I just gather stuff that other guys have already posted. Speaking of already posted, found a discussion of the use of the emblem by the Kamikaze operation. There's likely more on this, please add if anyone has more, but here's stuff from A POST ON WARRELICS. A kamikaze headband worn by a factory worker (they apparently swapped headbands) found HERE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted September 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2020 On 9/8/2020 at 4:27 AM, Dave R said: Here's another example. Dave, here's a teapot to go with your cup! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted September 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2020 A Send-off flag with "Give Seven Lives for the Country!". At WARRELICS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted September 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2020 On 9/7/2020 at 9:44 AM, Surfson said: with a kikusui hamon Here's one Robert: FOUND HERE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted December 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2022 A kikusui mounted as a mon on a Type 19 dress sword: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John C Posted December 19, 2022 Report Share Posted December 19, 2022 Thanks @Bruce Pennington! I had assumed the S shape was a stylized pond like in the pic below. But flowers floating on a river or stream make more sense. John C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihonto Chicken Posted December 20, 2022 Report Share Posted December 20, 2022 On 9/7/2020 at 7:45 AM, Bruce Pennington said: Kikusui-themed menuki Thanks, now I know what my menuki represent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Flynn Posted December 20, 2022 Report Share Posted December 20, 2022 Gassan Sadakazu and Gassan Sadakatsu. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridges Posted December 20, 2022 Report Share Posted December 20, 2022 Here is an example on a type 19 parade sword. I would like to buy it but unfortunately the seller wants 3.5 times what a normal type 19 sells for due to the crest… 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volker62 Posted December 23, 2022 Report Share Posted December 23, 2022 two rare sake cups from WWII imperial Japanese Navy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volker62 Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 Kikusui... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted December 29, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 2 hours ago, Volker62 said: Kikusui... Nice! Had me for a second, as I was trying to zoom in on the sword. Ha! Can you get a clear, closer shot of one of those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volker62 Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 as requested Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted December 30, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2022 Sorry, my friend! I meant a clear shot of the Kiku. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volker62 Posted December 31, 2022 Report Share Posted December 31, 2022 with pleaseure Bruce Nakago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volker62 Posted December 31, 2022 Report Share Posted December 31, 2022 Habaki... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted December 31, 2022 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2022 Excellent, and beautifully done, thanks buddy! Sorry to be a pest, but how about a clear shot of those on the kake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volker62 Posted December 31, 2022 Report Share Posted December 31, 2022 soon Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itomagoi Posted January 1, 2023 Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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