consistency

[paulb]

Over the years I have often read and indeed written that the quality of works of a particular school diminished in later generations. A posting today on Aoe-Art's website illustrates an exception.

Mainline Hizen work has been incredibly consistent  for  9 generations and I think this is clearly demonstrated here with a work of the last of the line. While there was some fluctuation in quality between various generations it remained remarkably consistent and followed the classic Hizen form with only minor reference to the changes in fashion and trends of the time. I have been a Tadayoshi fan for a very long time (as have many others) and I think this sword can help illustrate why they remain so popular.

 

[Alex A]

Aye, very consistent.

 

In style too.

 

Raised an eyebrow a while ago when i saw this sword in Midare. https://www.aoijapan...kubetsu-hozon-token/

 

First thoughts with that school are Suguha and Konuka, not forgetting the likes of Tadakuni etc. 

 

Good quality control in that camp. Never see a bad one, just overly polished or suriage bringing the price down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kissakai]

I had my Hizen polished in Japan especially as the 'sin' is so thing

Passed basic papers but no higher as there is a very light 'tiredness' in the skin

[Alex A]

Its weird that consistency never gets a mention. in all the time I've personally been interested in Japanese swords I've seldomly seen it mentioned.

 

Folks go on about top level smiths and their swords without ever talking about consistency.

 

The penny only dropped for me in this last year regarding consistency, that's because i looked at one particular smiths blades over and over again. You see so many that you pick up on what were good, bad and average blades for a smith over his career. Who knows, perhaps even an apprentice was responsible for the bad ones.

 

This leads me on to the Japanese value system http://www.sho-shin.com/value.htm

 

Sometimes you see a smith marked as average (chu-jo). You see blades marked as excellent blades by sellers and such blades are in high demand and sell fast. You ask yourself, why Chu-jo ?

 

The reason.................................................CONSISTENCY. They made too many that did not make the grade and no doubt there are reasons for such blades,

 

Those that created the rankings have been in the position to study more blades 

 

This is so important to get your head around, it never ever gets mentioned.

 

Cheers Paul.

 

The lack of comments already......... confirms.

[mywei]

btw check out the hada on this 8th generation

https://www.samurai-....net/SHOP/O-836.html