HORIMON CARVINGS ON SHOWATOS AND GUNTOS

[katanako]

I've finally worked up the nerve to ask this question: Why would anyone have carved a horimono on a garden variety Showato and/or gunto? Some of the carvings are poor quality. I suspect that it was to hide a flaw in the blade. But would a horimono hide a ware or kizu?

 

Thank you!

 

KATANAKO

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

I suspect that it was to hide a flaw in the blade. But would a horimono hide a ware or kizu?

 

I've read your post on the "collectors age" and know you're not new too the collecting "disease" :D .

I was under the impression it was common knowledge that they are often used to hide defects

and this is especially suspect when they are poorly made :? so I suppose I'm not getting right the type of defect you're talking about, as seems to me this is referred to WWII blades.

 

Is there anything I'm getting wrong ?

[loui]

I have seen some "nice" carvings on showato, I think they could have been used to as they were intended as well - as symbolic in nature.

 

Louis

[Rich S]

I suspect that all the above are correct. Also I think some horimono were

added after the war to appeal to GIs as souvenirs.

 

Rich S

[katanako]

Hi Juyo;

 

Although I am 57, yes, I am kinda new to collecting. I don't know enough to collect the real old Samurai blades, so I mainly stick to Gendaitos.

 

Thanks, guys, for the comments concerning horimono. I also thought the same: some were used to disguise defects while I have heard that some were carved on crappy blades to sell to GIs. Just wanted a 2nd and 3rd opinion.

 

I'm still waiting to see a nice horimono on a "Japanese" NCO sword from China!

 

KATANAKO

[Henry Stewart]

Sir

A short story;which as a young man I heard my uncle tell his brother, my Father,so you must take into account my failing memory. In Tokyo Bay when arrangements were being cleared up after the surrender 1945;

A ldeceased uncle of mine was an AB Gunner on a British Cruiser lying next to The American

He went ashore many times with the yank sailors keen to get some sort of engraving on Japanese swords they had got ,which were otherwise plain.They knew that certain Japanese craftsmen were very skilled in the art in the front part of the shop Th sailors, were told come back later . now in the back???? Seemingly in the total chaos ashore some enterprising Japanese had made a pattern (template) out of sheet steel; They laid it across the blade,clamped it in place, and with the aid of a small vertical drilling machine, powered by several gentlemen on a pedal cycle taking turns, lowered into the blade steel a short centre drill. This had two small vertical cutting surfaces leading to two cone shape cutting surfaces at the end forming a point. Now lowered a short way into the steel, the blade was then manouvred along the gap in the template which was cut out in the shape of the dragon,just like a miniature milling tool. This was the bulk of the work done,when a semi skilled metal smith chiselled in scales and details. All in all it took 3 to 4 hours and paid handsomely,bearing in mind this was work which properly done would take several days. But in the chaos that was shore side with starving people and a collpased economy,who cared, and the sailors went home happy.

Have you never noticed how very similar a lot of these dragons chasing pearls look???

Henry

[drbvac]

Here is a horimono on a gendaito blade that I am pretty sure was done by the smith or at least at the time of forging. This is the KAnefusa with the showa stamp, I had on the board last year.

[Stephen]

beautiful blade Doc, very nice.

[reinhard]

Thanks very much, Henry, for sharing these memories. I wish more stories like these were going to be preserved somewhere, before they get lost forever.

 

reinhard

[loui]

Very nice story Henry, good to know, and something to pass on.

 

Louis

[Henry Stewart]

Reinhard and Louis, Gentlemen;

 

I thought a little light aspect may cause some enjoyment. Many thanks for your kind remarks;

 

Henry

[dirk marshall]

Mizuno Masanori Katana Rikugun Jumei Tosho Swordsmith