Sukaira Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 Wanted to share a Taikei Naotane that I recently acquired that has a secret engraving for "Ichimonji" on the bottom. Is anyone else familiar with this type of thing? Is there a specific reason(s) or is it just a total "this would be cool" kinda thing? 2 Quote
Natichu Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 While I (unsurprisingly) have no insights to share, I for one would love to see more pictures of the rest of the sword if you're willing to share! Quote
ROKUJURO Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 In my eyes it is not an "ICHI". Could be a simple file test for hardness but also a secret mark to recognize it from other NAOTANE blades.. 1 Quote
Brian Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 That's filed, not carved, and I am pretty much 100% sure it's got nothing to do with Ichi. Likely just a marking the smith used to identify it, maybe from others while finishing it. 2 Quote
Sukaira Posted January 14 Author Report Posted January 14 (edited) All very possible reasons. Does anyone by chance know of anything similar from Naotane to compare to? Maybe it was something he did on other specific blades also? Maybe at the request of the customer? @PNSSHOGUN good question, this one is actually Soshu style, so yeah that would probably rule out Ichimonji @Natichu sure - check below. Edited January 14 by Sukaira 3 Quote
Rawa Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 What about horimono? Maybe someone else was doing it? Compare to other blades with bo hi of his forging Quote
Sukaira Posted January 15 Author Report Posted January 15 That's true, could also be that. I asked Shono-san at Seiyudo and he says "Kakushitogane is a rare mark that swordsmiths use to confirm that they themselves made it" so maybe that clears it up? Quote
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