Character of the nioi-guchi in Koto swords.

[Chinook]

Have you ever read a book where the author touched on a topic but did not really go into any detail? Well in Nobuo Nakahara's book (Facts and Fundamentals of Japanese Swords) He makes statement that during the Kan'ei Era: (1624-1644) That the Koto-periods character of the nioi-guchi disappeared. Then goes on to state that this was the most significant point of that period.

Now I have read that book many times and I have papered katana and Wakizashi from both the Koto and Shinto periods and I am at loss to see what he means by this statement. Can anybody shed some light on what he might have meant by this ? Thanks, Mark P.

[nagamaki - Franco]

Especially with nihonto translations, sometimes there are very subtle differences in meanings that cannot be taken too literally and at the same time require careful attention. What is essential is that the student first learns what Koto nioi-guchi looks like by studying good Koto swords in good polish (attend shows with displays, join and/or start study groups), and then they must do the same with Shinto period swords in order to begin actually seeing what the author is saying. A. Yamanaka would write something to the effect that 'a hamon (by a particular swordsmith) will be made in nie, but will be totally lacking in nie' in his Newsletters. I still recall the very first time I read that almost twenty years ago and thinking 'what in the hell does that mean!' But, with serious study, open book, open mind, open eyes, sword(s) in hand, it eventually becomes clear, at least one hopes

[runagmc]

Sometimes it's said that nioiguchi in shinto are more tightly formed and appear more controlled than in koto. This is a statement that has alot of exceptions from what I've seen, but it does seem to be especially noticable in alot of Bizen style blades in choji and midare variances. One cause may be that in many later blades the smiths were trying to copy the hamon of older works and they tried to do it by strict control of the nioiguchi, whereas in the older works, the hamon styles, in many cases probably formed more spontaneously as a side product of a smiths particular yakiire process. Mabey he was refering to something along these lines.

[Chinook]

Hello, I do believe there was a change in the nioi-guchi character during this era, it is just a matter of knowing what to look for. Mr. Nakahara writes that becouse of this change it would be better to situate the division between the Koto and Shinto works in the Kan'ei period rather than the generally regarded Keicho era. By the way this info can be read on pages 31 thru 36 in the book that I have. The problem I have is being able to view good swords in hand is rare. Besides the six swords a have to view I try to travel to San Francisco every August to attend the NCJSC show. Where I live Chain Saw Carving is considered fine Art. Thanks for the input .

Mark P.