Nihonto-tô blade terms

[kei28]

Hello to everybody.

 

As you can see, I am new on this forum.

I hope my thread is in the right section.

So, I'm preparing an article about the nomenclature of the nihon-tô (with definitions and schemes). Since I'm French and most of the good books about the Japanese blade are in english, I am often refering to them in my work, but I cannot all the time understand what I'm looking for.

Maybe some of you will be able to help me in this matter.

 

Could you help me understand better the following terms:

 

- is there a difference between the expressions SHINOGI GA TAKAI/SHONOGI HIKUI and SHINOGI TAKASHI(or TAKAKU)/SHINOGI HIKUSHI?

The first ones refer to high or low shinogi, when the space between the shinogi on each size is large or thin. Yet, I haven't quite understood the difference with shinogi takashi and hikushi. It seems that the terms are vicinar and I would pretend these words refer to the same thing.

 

- what is exactly SHISHI NASHI and SHISHI ARI? When the sides of the blade are flat, it is called shishi nashi. But then, what is the difference with HIRANIKU KAKERU (when the jigane is flat)?

 

- what is HAMAGURI-BA when we talk about the jigane? It refers there again to a flat or convex blade, but isn't it the same here than HIRANIKU KAKERU?

 

- about the tsuba, we can find sometimes marks called TAGANE ATO around the nakago ana. Why does a swordsmith leave such marks? Are they kind of signatures, or do they intend to fit better the blade into the nakago ana?

 

- about the tsuba fukurin: could you explain to me what is ROZUKE FUKURIN and WARIKOMI FUKURIN?

 

These notions are a bit "high level" for me. Even after many searches, I still haven't found clear definitions.

Is it possible to get a hint?

 

Thank you very much.

[Grey Doffin]

HI (name please),

The JSS/US sells, Glossary of Japanese Sword terms, compiled by Gordon Robson, which is very thorough and reasonably priced ($10, I think). I would guess that answers to some of your questions, possibly all, are included in the book. A copy can be purchased from Harry Afu Watson, who you will find with a link at the top of the Message Baord's home page.

Grey