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 Sunday at 06:04 PM by Lewis B

[Lewis B]

 

 

 

 

 

Musashi Masamune oshigata from Markus Sesko article on the blade

 

Edited Sunday at 06:02 PM 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

 

 

[eternal_newbie]

9 hours ago, klee said:

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.

 

You're in good company; it is indeed the general consensus among connoisseurs and scholars that Sadamune is superior in jigane and sugata, while Masamune reigns in hamon, hataraki and application of nie in general.

 

In fact, Sadamune is often described as having "the finest jigane in all of Japanese swordsmithing", outshining even Rai and Awataguchi.

 

Edited Monday at 08:33 AM by eternal_newbie
Additional context around Sadamune

[Lewis B]

I can see why so many were impressed by the Norishige tanto. Thanks once again to Mr Shiotsuna

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 10:15 PM by Lewis B

[Sukaira]

Anyone have pictures of the Yasumitsu? Every Yasumitsu I have seen displayed has been incredible.

[Jussi Ekholm]

I visited the exhibition second time this morning, as I will head out to other parts of Japan. Some additional thoughts.

 

Unfortunately that is wrong Norishige Lewis. That is displayed as it has been donated by Nara Iwao to the museum recently. It is Jūyō Bijutsuhin and nice sword. However in my personal opinion the one passing Tokubetsu Jūyō is far better tantō, just a personal judgement. Nara Iwao donated spectacular items to NBTHK. In my personal opinion the hira-zukuri wakizashi by Yosōzaemon Sukesada he donated was every bit as good as TJ swords on display. Also I really liked the Fujiwara Nagasada katana that was dated 1868 that he donated. In my eyes it was very good sword, now it would never be "high ranked" but I dont care about that at all. *edit* forgot to add that the Tsunahiro wakizashi he donated was amazing.

 

The Yasumitsu is one of my favorite items on the display. Even though it is slim and slender in form while I usually prefer the big monster swords. I am not sure if there will be photos of it as photography isnt allowed for TJ items. It is very recent Jūyō, passing in 71, so when they release the book there will be bit more info on the sword.

 

I really don't like the extreme closeups as to me they are not something I personally see when looking at item, and I am not one seeking extremely fine details. Of course I understand that some people love these extreme details. I saw few Japanese with big cameras shooting closeup shots of the few reference items that were allowed to photography.

 

When I am at home next month I should be able to match the majority of the swords to Jūyō level sessions. For the few mumei items I might need to wait until TJ book is released so I can match the item side by side.

 

*edit* While I understand the multiple tier process I am not a fan of it. All of the items that passed the TJ shinsa are incredible items and display characteristic traits and experts would most likely identify them easily. If you would see any of these items with Hozon papers for example you wouldn't think about the paper level but how incredible the actual item is. I think it can be sometimes bit misleading as we talk a lot about these tier levels while I think the actual item would be more important focus point.

Edited yesterday at 04:00 AM by Jussi Ekholm
added few thoughts

[Sukaira]

Oh, actually @Jussi Ekholm if it passed Juyo at 71, it was the same Yasumitsu that was on display at the 71st Juyo exhibition when I visited earlier this year. In that case, I have already seen it (I think?), and it already passed TokuJu. That is pretty awesome. That was a great sword indeed.

[Gakusee]

The Musashi Masamune has strong points and weak areas. It is not all exceptional.  Having said that, I liked it more when I saw it in April versus a few years ago when I was rather unimpressed with it. 

[Gakusee]

Just now, Gakusee said:

The Musashi Masamune has strong points and weak areas. It is not all exceptional.  Having said that, I liked it more when I saw it in April versus a few years ago when I was rather unimpressed with it. 

 

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