Some help and clarification

[Paz]

Hi all. I've just been reading Nakaharas book fundamentals of Japanese swords. Also a documentary on polishing which was quite short.

 

They both mention that swords when they were first forged were in a certain polish, unlike they are today for collectors. 

 

So their original look was different or not in "art polish" 

 

Can someone please either show some photos or elaborate on this topic ? 

 

So does this mean that koto swords when originally forged didn't show much activity? As they were not polished significantly- as they were intended for battle. 

 

Thanks 

 

Regards. 

[ROKUJURO]

Paz,

that is what I have read, too. There are probably not many swords left now with a KOTO polish (if at all), but I think we can assume that they were sharp and did not show that many HATARAKI compared to late EDO polishes.

[Paz]

Thanks Jean. I wonder if there would be one in either of the Japanese museums 

 

 

Regards