Clive Sinclaire Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Gentlemen Spurred on by the subject of "FATAL FLAWS" recently on this board, I may have finally discovered why anyone might want to by such a sword! Maybe they want to tell fortunes! Fantastic as this may seem, I remembered and actually found, that I have a book which dates back to about 1900, entitled "Fortune Telling by Japanese Swords". I will ask Jean to attach a couple of pages as an example for your enlightenment. Regards Cl;ive Sinclaire Quote
k morita Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Hi, [Fortune Telling by Japanese Swords].... Japanese called it "ken-soh" 剣相(Physiognomy of swords). Do you believe Physiognomy of swords? (I do not believe Physiognomy of swords. ) :lol: Quote
Clive Sinclaire Posted September 6, 2011 Author Report Posted September 6, 2011 Morita san Do you believe Physiognomy of swords? I rather doubt it myself but this book was taken from "an old Japanese Mss (manuscript?) by O'Hamaguchi San and Talbot Clifton, FRGS, etc) and printed for private circulation in London in 1885. I guess they may have felt differently 126 years ago. Also I believe it was studied quite seriously in old Japan - is this so? I never knew this was called ken-soh, so thank you for that information. Regards Clive Sinclaire Quote
sanjuro Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 I dont hold much with fortune telling. It reminds me of the ancient art of augery by fondling chicken guts or sheep guts. Everyone knows if you want a real indication of the future theres nothing as good as horse guts........ They never lie. :D A quaint if somewhat dated study......... You never know, your entire life may be governed by the kizu in the next blade you buy. Of course you could always avoid calamity by not buying second rate blades with kizu......... Quote
k morita Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Mr.Sinclaire, >>>Also I believe it was studied quite seriously in old Japan - is this so? <<<<< I think that there were not a little peoples believed "Kensoh" in Edo period. And small number swordsmiths might also have believed "Kensoh" possibly (For the sales promotion of his swords). Several kinds of the books on Physiognomy of swords(kensoh) were published in Edo period. I will examine the title of the books. "Physiognomy of swords".... The swords(and the owner) to divine by flaws of the blade, the shape of temper pattern ,and blade length etc... Quote
Jim P Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Hi Clive, Thanks for posting can I ask are all of Fortune Telling negative, is there some positives ? Things like you will get rich and live long and prosper :D :D Quote
Jean Posted September 6, 2011 Report Posted September 6, 2011 Yes Jim, Fig 7 - not posted - Hagire - you will commit seppuku before tomorrow night Quote
Clive Sinclaire Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Posted September 7, 2011 Hi Chris I am afraid that it is unremmitingly and overwhelmingly bad news and quite depressing. However, "3 little marks called "sanko" are considered very lucky" and a midare hamon which just passes the ha-machi and then comes off of the nakago the book says "with steel running like in this diagram and the next, points out that you will be loved by everyone, enjoy good health, prosperity in your house and family, a long life, and your social position will be gratly heightened" and so hopefully there is some hope for you at last! Regards Clive Sinclaire Quote
Jim P Posted September 7, 2011 Report Posted September 7, 2011 Hi Clive, A blade with a midare hamon which just passes the ha-machi is now on top of my list now all I need is the 3 little sanko on the same blade and I can not go wrong unless that Hagire show's up Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.