29th TokuJu Exhibition at the Japanese Sword Museum

[MassiveMoonHeh]

A couple of pictures of the Futasuji-hi Sadamune on display at the 29th Tokubetsu Juyo Exhibition.

 

Special thanks to 刀剣訪問ブログ.

 

For more info on the exhibition click here.

[MassiveMoonHeh]

Special Exhibit 3: Important Cultural Property

 

Unsigned Katana (Sadamune) (Famous Sword: Futasuji-hi Sadamune)

 

Length: 70.1cm

 

Province: Sagami

 

Period: Nanbokucho Period

 

Collection: Nitroplus

 

Katana

 

Important Cultural Property

 

Unsigned: SADAMUNE

 

(Meibutsu Futasuji-hi SADAMUNE)

 

Province: Sagami

 

Period: Nanbokucho Period (mid 14th century)

 

Collection: NITRO PLUS

 

Sadamune is said to have been a disciple of Masamune and later his adopted son. His sword-making period spans from the very end of the Kamakura period to the early Nanbokucho period. He most closely inherited his master's style, but differences can be seen in his gentle style and large form.

 

 This sword, with its wide blade and uniform width from base to tip, features a large, shortened tip. Despite being significantly shortened, it exhibits characteristics of the Nanboku-cho period. The well-forged blade displays numerous ji-kei (patterns in the steel), and the hamon (temper line) is predominantly undulating, exhibiting variations in the strength of the nie (crystals) and the width of the nioi (cloudy pattern), clearly demonstrating the craftsman's style. The *Kyoho Meibutsucho* (a catalog of famous swords from the Kyoho era) states, "This is a fine sword made by Osaka," and it is also known as "Osaka Sadamune."

 

*The front side will be on display until June 21st (Sun), and the back side from June 23rd (Tue) onwards.

[Katsujinken]

Oh my. 

[Jussi Ekholm]

I went to see the 29th TJ exhibition today. All items were of course really high quality and I cannot judge their difference in level. What surprised me I didnt like all that much few of the items I was really looking forward seeing, and vice versa liked few others much more I thought I would before the exhibition.

 

This is just my personal like list of 5 preferred items and no way judging the items by level.
Hōjōji naoshi
Kaneuji wakizashi
Kanenaga katana (the longer)
Yasumitsu tachi
Norishige tantō

 

I was really looking forward seeing the Futasuji-bi Sadamune Jūyō Bunkazai but to my surprise I didn't like that or the TJ 29 Sadamune as much as I thought I would. Of course both are incredible swords. Similarily I was really looking forward seeing the signed and dated Chōgi tachi but while very high quality sword it didn't really make an impact on me. Then on the opposite side I was very impressed by the Echizen Yasutugu wakizashi.

[eternal_newbie]

1 hour ago, Jussi Ekholm said:

What surprised me I didnt like all that much few of the items I was really looking forward seeing, and vice versa liked few others much more I thought I would before the exhibition.

 

I really appreciate seeing people's own personal thoughts on exhibits and high-level blades like this. While I don't necessarily rely on them for my own personal evaluation of swords, it's always refreshing to see what kind of different personalities and preferences exist elsewhere in the nihonto world.

[Lewis B]

The Musashi Masamune is something special. Pic acknowledgements to Shiotsuna

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Lewis B

[Lewis B]

 

 

 

 

 

Musashi Masamune oshigata from Markus Sesko article on the blade

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Lewis B

[eternal_newbie]

There's chikei, and then there's chikei...

 

And then there's Masamune chikei.

[MassiveMoonHeh]

Some more photos of Futasuji-hi Sadamune.

 

Special thanks to, 畳@孖っコぐらし.

 

 

[klee]

I would love to one day travel to Japan and see top level blades like these. Thank you for posting these photos🙏🙏🙏.

 

After looking at any high quality photos I could find for some time it dawned on me a while back that Sadamune s jigane was more pleasing to me over Masamune personaly. But perhaps seeing them in person will change that preception