Minamoto Yoshichika shodai.

[charlesf]

A few questions about Minamoto Yoshichika,would be grateful for any help and comments that members might have,thanks in advance.

Shibamishima.Yoshichika is said to be 'from' Shibamishima,a Google search shows no results however there is an area of Tokyo called Shiba and I wondered if two names had been run together i.e. Shiba and Mishima,being Mishima street or district.Can anyone clarify?

Yoshichika and Nakayama Hakudo.Would it be reasonable to suppose that they shared the same relationship as Obata/Yasuhiro,Hakudo demonstrating blades in exchange for swords for personal use?The sale of 490 tested swords to members of the Imperial Guard must have been a considerable boost to Yoshichika's bank account.

Imperial swordsmith.In 'Samurai Swords for the Material Battle' the author suggests that the Emperor 'called' Yoshichika to Tokyo (from where?) and made him an Imperial Swordsmith,a fact that I cannot find to be corroborated anywhere else.

Hakudo's personal swords.I recall reading somewhere about one of Hakudo's personal swords,long blade either 29" or 31" in what I can only describe as toppei koshirae,is anyone familiar with this?I don't mean the YouTube uploader with the shiny hakama.

Thanks for any help/links that you are able to provide.

 

charles.

[eternal_newbie]

1 hour ago, charlesf said:

Shibamishima

 

Shiba-Mishimachō ( 芝三島町 ). It was dissolved in 1971 which is why you can't find it on a modern map.

https://edo.amebaownd.com/posts/3333629/

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Some of the information presented in the book 'Samurai Swords for the Material Battle' seems spurious at best. Yoshichika was one of a few Tosho that made swords for Emperor Hirohito's Ascension Ceremony, there were worn (or given as gifts) to various nobles or dignitaries present at the ceremony. 

 

In regards to Nakayama Hakudo, where have you read about this supposed relationship with Tosho in exchange for free swords? He was a highly respected instructor and Tameshi-Shi who worked closely with numerous Tosho including Hayama Enshin, Watanabe Kanenaga, Kojima Kanemichi, and Kurihara Akihide, to improve their sharpness and strength for cutting. Boiling these relationships down to something so mundane is rather tactless. 

 

 

[oli]

here is a rare example of Akihide , which Nakayama Hakudo testet : https://katanahanbai.com/en/katana/kurihara-akihide-2/

[charlesf]

1 hour ago, eternal_newbie said:

 

Shiba-Mishimachō ( 芝三島町 ). It was dissolved in 1971 which is why you can't find it on a modern map.

https://edo.amebaownd.com/posts/3333629/

 

 

Thank you very much!

 

charles.

[charlesf]

1 hour ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Some of the information presented in the book 'Samurai Swords for the Material Battle' seems spurious at best. Yoshichika was one of a few Tosho that made swords for Emperor Hirohito's Ascension Ceremony, there were worn (or given as gifts) to various nobles or dignitaries present at the ceremony. 

 

In regards to Nakayama Hakudo, where have you read about this supposed relationship with Tosho in exchange for free swords? He was a highly respected instructor and Tameshi-Shi who worked closely with numerous Tosho including Hayama Enshin, Watanabe Kanenaga, Kojima Kanemichi, and Kurihara Akihide, to improve their sharpness and strength for cutting. Boiling these relationships down to something so mundane is rather tactless. 

 

 

Please read my post properly,I asked if it was reasonable to suppose the same relationship that Obata had with Kobayashi Yasuhiro which was that of PROFESSIONAL SWORD TESTER.

It would also be extremely naive to turn a blind eye to the politics and finances involved in the world of Japanese swords which have existed throughout history,so kindly climb down from the saddle of your high horse.

 

charles.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Well that's certainly fine encouragement for other comments from members here. My apologies for attempting to clarify reliable information, rather than furthering inane tabloid level rumours about well respected martial artists and Tosho. 

[Volker62]

John is right     

 

to put it cautiously,"some" information in this book

 

"Samurai swords for the Material Battle" is incorrect, according to serious reseach.

 

 

All in all in my opinion it's light reading.

[Volker62]

I remember that Chris Bowen wrote something worthwile about Minamoto Yoshichika

 

and also blades that were traditionally  made for Nakayama Hakudo