Pics of Unomaru Ko-Tachi.

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Hi all.

 

I'm searching pictures of a blade that my sources quote "went unfortunately to the US after the end of WW2".

 

Quote from Markus' excellent translation :

 

old tachi from the Udo-jingû (鵜戸神宮) in Miyazaki Prefecture, described there as "Unomaru (鵜丸) ko-tachi (古太刀)“ . The blade is somewhere in between a chokutô and a wantô, rather on the wantô side.

 

...unquote

 

I'd be grateful if anybody can share pics of it.

 

There is another one which I'd love to have picture of, but the info I have are very poor :

 

same source, same excellent translator :

 

quote...

Another Daihô ko-tachi which is similar to the Unomaru ko-tachi was once in the possession of Mr. Nakamkura Hôsui (中村宝水), a scholar of Chinese classics, from Ibaraki Prefectures Makabe district (真壁). It is said that it was discovered in an inner sanctuary in a swamp at Daihô.

...unquote

 

If for a luckystrike anybody is able to trace down it from these very few info it would be a blessing.

 

Thanks for your time

[k morita]

Hi Carlo,

There are four different lejends(includes old stories and old swords books) about the Unomaru.

So one story's sword is Sanjo Munechika, other story is Sanjo Yoshiie,....etc,the legends are confused.

 

By the way, Udo-jingu's( Udo shrine) Unomaru have been missing after the WW2.

Blade length was 73 centimeters, Heian period Tachi.

 

I will try to look for the photo.

What is your sources "went unfortunately to the US after the end of WW2" ?

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

What is your sources "went unfortunately to the US after the end of WW2" ?

 

Thanks Morita-San.

I've just a poor drawing of it but I would like to have a photo, even if in black and withe, for my article.

 

To be honest, you were exactly the one I hoped to have feedbacks from, knowing you're interested in lost swords.

 

I'm at work now, I'll revert via PM to you when I'll back home.

[Brian]

Please feel free to share the info with us here, as I am sure there are more than a few of us interested in these topics.

 

Brian

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

I'm sure Morita san will.

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Morita-San, seems I can't contact you via e-mail. Did you get my last 2 e-mail ?

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Following Brian's request and in name and on behalf of Morita-san hereunder the picture of Unomaru Tachi Morita-san has been able to find with his usual kindness and astonishing capacities.

 

However, it doesn't match with the drawing in my source. This one has the slender sugata

and curvature on the blade typical of later Tachi, not the almost straight blade with deep

nakagozori I am searching for .

 

As I trust 101% both my translator and Morita san there are two possible exlpanations :

 

1) there were more than 1 sword labeled as Unomaru Tachi.

 

2) one of the sources (Shrine book or mine) is wrong. I tend to believe as wrong the latter.

 

However, as has been pointed out by Morita San in his previous post, the eventual mistake

might have an explanation. There are several legends about this sword so it is not totally out

of discussion the possibility that the same name has been given to different blades.

 

Again many thanks for the help, Morita-san. Very obliged.

 

[k morita]

Hi Carlo,

 

Thank you for sharing the photograph to all over the world.

I was so surprised to see the photograph of Unomaru-Tachi on the Udo shrine's book.(Attached pics by Carlo / This photograph is also very unusual. )

Because,Unomaru of Udo shrine's photo was different from the following features of "Unomaru".

 

Udo shrine's Unomaru-tachi was explained according to some academic books as follows.

-Blade has not curved(a little curved ).

-Greatly curved around of Tang.

-Kamasu tip.

-Shinogi-line is a center of the width of the blade.

 

Why is shape differ between some academic books and Udo shrine's photo ?

I am researching the cause now.

[Toryu2020]

Perhaps there is some confusion between the Unomaru and the Torikubi (U no Kubi) no Gyoken?

[k morita]

Thank you Thomas. :D

 

There is no confusion.

Your photo is Hayatama shrine's Ken-sword (former national treasure).

This Ken-sword(only one blade) also missing after the WW2.

koshirae is national treasure now.

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

I am researching the cause now.

 

You are the right man to solve the matter. Please let us all know.