Bugyotsuji Posted August 14 Report Posted August 14 Just curious to see what can be gleaned from this sun-nobi tanto blade. The blade is mumei but has clear NBTHK paperwork, although described officially as wakizashi. (No hints to start with, unless someone asks for particular information). 1 Quote
Lewis B Posted August 14 Report Posted August 14 Nakago and full sugata would be nice. Nagaso just over 30cm? Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 14 Author Report Posted August 14 6 minutes ago, Lewis B said: Nakago and full sugata would be nice. Nagaso just over 30cm? Yes, Lewis, 1 shaku, 2 bu. Sadly I do not have the blade here with me, just random shots from the phone memory, so overall view is not possible for some time yet. Here is the nakago on its own, (+ all I have of the blade). Nakago 2 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 14 Author Report Posted August 14 PS Those of you who know the answer for some external reason, please hold schtum for a bit! Than Q 1 Quote
Lewis B Posted August 14 Report Posted August 14 Appears to have a later Soshu influence. Hitatsura with partial hardening along the mune. Could it be Hiromasa? Is it Mitsumune? 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 14 Author Report Posted August 14 Wow, very good! Yes it is mitsumune, and Soshu but not necessarily later Soshu. Not Hiromasa, but very close. A hint lies in the fact that nie are present, apparently, when nie disappear with Sue Soshu. 1 Quote
Lewis B Posted August 14 Report Posted August 14 How about Hiromitsu, Hiromasa's sensei and supposedly a son of Masamune. Or alternatively Hasebe Kunishige for the nie hint. 1 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 14 Author Report Posted August 14 Very, very hot now. The names were a little fluid around then, depending on which source you use. Who else is also sometimes said to be a son of Masamune? 2 Quote
Lewis B Posted August 14 Report Posted August 14 1 hour ago, Bugyotsuji said: Who else is also sometimes said to be a son of Masamune? Sadamune? 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 14 Author Report Posted August 14 I think in Kantei you would be awarded 同然 Dōzen or something, as near as dammit. NBTHK gives it Masahiro, @ Tokuhon. Second half of Namboku Chō. (Possibly Gen 1?) (Signed Hiromitsu in later life?) 2 Quote
Lewis B Posted August 14 Report Posted August 14 That was fun. Any comment regarding the carvings on the nakago? 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 14 Author Report Posted August 14 22 minutes ago, Lewis B said: That was fun. Any comment regarding the carvings on the nakago? My reply just disappeared… (Hey ho! Trying again.) There is one book available in Japan on Taoist protective symbols which I plan to consult. According to someone who has kindly looked through it, this particular one is not listed although there are similar magic signs. https://www.amazon.co.jp/増補-霊符の呪法-大宮司朗/dp/4893507907 Since we can see three kanji buried in the designs I would like to think it reads: ‘pacify the active ogre(s)’ or ‘send active devils (back) to sleep’. 活鬼愚… (And I did find a little story to back that up.) 2 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 14 Author Report Posted August 14 My sword sensei however floated the question on X and sent me the following reply: Invoking the protection of a 式神guardian god. 2 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 15 Author Report Posted August 15 If anyone is interested, this is the little story I found concerning those ‘Kakki’ 活鬼 active ogres, about a group who appeared in Kōzuke, Jo-Shū, (Gunma). The army of the imperial court set out to subdue them, protected by the talisman of Senju Kannon. Somehow for me it fits nicely, but maybe it’s romantic hogwash. Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 15 Author Report Posted August 15 The Kakki 活鬼 story is related in the 流水山縁起 Ryusuizan Engi, with an English outline provided in this link. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1390854139458141184 1 Quote
Lewis B Posted August 15 Report Posted August 15 Sounds like a rough neighborhood back then with all those demons, goblins and ogres 2 Quote
Matsunoki Posted August 15 Report Posted August 15 1 hour ago, Lewis B said: Sounds like a rough neighborhood back then with all those demons, goblins and ogres Bit like East Anglia on a good day. 2 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.