k morita Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 Hi, Recently, I got an old photograph (maybe a photograph of history exhibition(?) somewhere,in around 1933). The sword in the photograph is a sword that the 8th generation Yamada Asaemon dedicated to the Ekoin temple in Tokyo at Meiji period.小塚原 回向院 As generally known,Yamada Asaemon family was cutting tester of swords and executioner. So,i inquired the mei(signature) of the sword to the Ekoin temple because this temple still owned this sword. The answer from this temple is " Don't know ". OH NO ! ,why can not say the mei? ,I don't understand why to conceal the mei. I will call again later.... If you(members in Tokyo) interested in this, please visit or call to Kozukahara Ekoin temple(Arakawa-ku ,Minami- Senju) and hear the mei from the temple. Quote
cabowen Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 They still have the sword? Wonder how they managed to keep it after the war....When was it last exhibited? I found that sometimes swords are sold when money is tight.... Quote
k morita Posted July 16, 2011 Author Report Posted July 16, 2011 Yes,They still have the sword. :D Quote
cabowen Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 Yes,They still have the sword. :D Seems strange they wouldn't tell you the mei..... Quote
sanjuro Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 Is it possible that this sword represents a part of Japanese history that authorities just dont want to acknowledge? Bushido and what it represents ( ie Feudalism) is not a popular concept in the 21st century after all, and this sword would represent a fairly barbaric aspect of Japanese history to some factions within both modern Japan and also internationally. Negatives that are unwelcome in modern society and all that sort of thing......... (This is just a thought on my part). Quote
Curran Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 One look at the sori and shape- quick conclusion is that it is ancient. Might very well be unsigned or signature lost to age, if the sword is not preserved. Who do temples ask to preserve such works? NBTHK, NTHK, or sword shops? Or do they just ~leave well enough alone~ until it reaches a tipping point? Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 To be honest i dont think Temples care much for NTHK, NBTHK and other assessments. The sword in itself is worthy of preserving it in Temples. There must also be some swords and weapons of famous samurai stored in Temples. Maybe in Shinto and Buddhism it is less important to have a paper attributing a given sword to a smith. KM Quote
Toryu2020 Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 I'll say one thing, it looks sharp! Shrines, Temples and Museums are a mixed bag when it comes to preservation. Some don't know any better, some don't care, some cannot afford to spend much. For example the Oyama-Izumi Shrine has like 80% of the countries kokuho armour - the armour is kept in a climate controlled, acid free, low-light section separate from the other collections. The swords otoh sit out in common glass cases unloved, un-oiled and unpolished it seems for generations. Sadly I saw many swords displayed in this way, and you had ask why not care for it if it is worth showing off? It may simply be that the priest and those caring for the sword have no interest in disturbing the sword and seeing if there is a mei and wouldn't know where to look if they did. I doubt they have any hang-ups about the past associations. Morita-san has the right idea though, if enough people call and ask about the sword they might take the time to investigate... -t Quote
cabowen Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 I can't speak for all temples and shrines but do know that some of them at least enlist the aid of local smiths, togi-shi, or museum staff to provide care on a fairly regular basis. At least this is what the Mishima Taisha and some of the others in the Shizuoka area do.... Quote
Nobody Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 I went to Akihabara for my another hobby (My original back ground was electrical engineering). It was VERY HOT today. On the way home, I went to Kozukahara Ekoin to see the sword if I could. The place is not so far from Akihabara. Ref. http://www.dentan.jp/minamisenjyu/minamisenjyu03.html However; I could not confirm anything. There was only a caretaker at the temple, and he knew nothing about the sword as well as other historical materials. I am afraid if the sword is properly maintained. He only said as follows; - He knew nothing about the collection in the temple, and there is no catalogue of them. - The collection were not put on view to the public. - The place where the collection were stored was also a living space, and an outsider could not come in. Quote
k morita Posted July 17, 2011 Author Report Posted July 17, 2011 OH, Thank you very very much,Moriyama-san. !!!!! :D I understood the situation of the temple well. >>There was only a caretaker at the temple.<< This guy doesn't know anything..... So, I will call Ekoin-temple in Ryogoku tomorrow because I think maybe Ryogoku Ekoin is head temple.本寺? http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%9E% ... 1.E9.99.A2 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 I have heard there are many swords in shrines and temples in Kyoto, but they might not be happy for strangers to ask to see them. The law can be quite harsh and arbitrary, so often it is better just to let swords rust quietly away... Quote
Peter Brenan Posted August 3 Report Posted August 3 I have a Samuri sword with this inscription on it, I sent it to the Honorary Consul-General for Japan in South Australia Adam Wynn and he verified the translation. I would like to find out more about the origin of this sword and any significance it may have. Regards. Peter Brennan Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 3 Report Posted August 3 Adam Wynn verified what translation, Peter? Nothing else apart from 山田大住...(佐?) Can you post a quick shot of the whole blade, with tip upright, i.e. tip north, nakago towards you? Quote
lonely panet Posted August 3 Report Posted August 3 2 hours ago, Peter Brenan said: I have a Samuri sword with this inscription on it, I sent it to the Honorary Consul-General for Japan in South Australia Adam Wynn and he verified the translation. I would like to find out more about the origin of this sword and any significance it may have. Regards. Peter Brennan Hi Peter, your wasting your time. this person isnt educated enough to pass judgment on nihonto. the mei isnt Japanese and nor do i believe the sword is either. i live in Sa and could offer more education then the above person 1 Quote
Peter Brenan Posted August 3 Report Posted August 3 Ok, I wasn't expecting that. Why don't you think it is Japanese? What do you think it is? Quote
Geraint Posted August 3 Report Posted August 3 Dear Peter. Every aspect of a Japanese sword is carefully made so the nakago/tang will be well finished. Also the signature on yours is cut by removing metal whereas Japanese mei are chased so that you can see a sweries of adjacent marks. Have a look here to see this. https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashitanba-no-kami-yoshimichi-osaka-3rd-nbthk-hozon-token/ If you can show photographs of the whole blade then we can perhaps point out some more indicators. All the best. Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted August 3 Report Posted August 3 Geraint, he has since kindly posted further photos but on various different threads. 1 Quote
Geraint Posted August 3 Report Posted August 3 Thank you for that Piers, I had missed it. I will reply on that thread. All the best. Quote
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