Minamoto Yoshichika

[Nicholas]

Hi,

 

      I have seen a few examples of the Shodai with cutting tests by Nakayama Hakudo on the nakago. Are there any examples of the Nidai with cutting tests? I can’t seem to find any.

 

Thanks for any insight

[Nicholas]

Ww2 era smith. http://www.japaneses...dex.com/yoshchik.htm

[Bruce Pennington]

Ok, I can't figure it out  - what do "shodai" and "nidai" mean?

[John C]

Bruce:

I think it means first generation and second generation. 

John C.

[Nicholas]

24 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Ok, I can't figure it out  - what do "shodai" and "nidai" mean?

Sorry Bruce I mean 1st and second generation. There’s not too much information on the second generation. Just that the first generation is known for forging swords that cut well mostly made for the imperial guard.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Shodai is uncommon but there have been examples also with cutting tests. 

[Nicholas]

47 minutes ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Shodai is uncommon but there have been examples also with cutting tests. 

I have a nidai with cutting test. I’ve never seen this style signature with cutting test. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Sorry I did mean Nidai is uncommon with cutting test. 

[Bruce Pennington]

OK!  I just learned something today.  I guess I have another stamp to add to the Stamps doc.  Probably going to tack it onto the Cut Test Kao section.  It's not a kao, but I don't see another section that it would easily fit into.

 

I'll do a search, but you could save me the time if anyone knows - are Yoshichika blades the only ones that this stamp is found on?

[Nicholas]

Here’s a few more pictures of the sword. It has an interesting leather field cover with a metal drag at the bottom. It also has a leather flap which to me looks like folds over the throat of the saya while sword is drawn to protect debris from falling inside.

[Nicholas]

[Nicholas]

[Nicholas]

[Bruce Pennington]

That's some nice custom work on that leather cover!

[Bruce Pennington]

Haven't completed the Hakudo search, but have come across a Nidai Yoshichika with the cutting test stamped, posted by @kaigunair HERE.

 

 

 

and testimony from @Michael 67 that he once owned both Shodai & Nidai blades with the cutting test stamps. Posted HERE.  Gunto and blades posted HERE, maybe Michael still has photos of the nakago?