Koto Aikuchi Opinion, thoughts or corrections.

[edzo]

Dear Members,

Aikuchi mounted tanto, I am wondering if there is a proper name for the black urushi treatment or style , ?o-suji-chigai?? Rain,? , and would this be Higo? Additionally, The mei reads "Kashu Ju Fuji, wara? (likely), Kiyo mitsu saku." Do you think the signature and style is consistent with koto? The yasurime is kiri-monji and very fine. The point turns up and evokes a lethal impression. Any opinions or thoughts, or corrections are welcome and appreciated. The fittings are horn and the menuki is silver. The nagasa is 17.2cm. Thank you in advance, Ed.

 

Edit the nagasa is 13.2cm.

[paulb]

Dear Edward,

The following is personal opinion rather than fact. The blade looks more likely shinto than koto. The shape is wrong for an earlier sword and the condition and shape of the nakago and the style of the mei all look much later. If i had to guess iwould say mid Edo.

Regarding the fittings I have heard but never tried to confirm it that these smaller tanto or kaikan in black aikuchi mounts were given as gifts to brides by their fathers on their wedding day. I am not sure if this is true or a fanciful tale but I have heard it repeatd often enough to believe it may be valid.

Interested in others opinions as to age of the sword.

best Regards

Paul

[cabowen]

Cute!

 

Doubtful it is koto. Looks like Shinto or early shinshinto....The mounting looks Bakumatsu (late Edo). What is the nagasa (length of the blade)?

[edzo]

Hi Chris and Paul, Thanks for participating, it is 13.2cm. I understood that Kaiken were carried by women in a small bag and would not need a hook and kurikata to secure, am I wrong on that? Ed.

[cabowen]

If it is that small it may well have been a mamori-gatana for a wedding ceremony. Seems these were quite popular in the Bakumatsu period. They were placed inside the breast of the bride's kimono and would still have the kurikata....at least all that I have seen have them.

[edzo]

Thanks Chris, they certainlly isn't a masculine blade, I guess the kurikata and hook threw me. Ed

[edzo]

Dear Chris, If you happen back to this thread and can see your way clear, I wonder if it is likely that a mamori gatana for a spouce would be signed and crafted by a big name as this item signed kiyomitsu? Ed

[cabowen]

Sure, I see no reason why not.....This smith is not really famous....

[edzo]

Dear Chris, Thanks for that, I was thinking if he was a sougth after and important master smith, that raised the question (in my mind), why would he be making this type/purpose blade for non-military demand? Kind of a step down as a master. Previously I thought that these were called Daiken, do you know if or what the defference is? Ed.

[runagmc]

Here's some info on kaiken if you haven't seen it, http://www.ksky.ne.jp./~sumie99/kaiken.html

[Surfson]

Is a kaiken primarily for self defense or for jigai?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigai

[Ken-Hawaii]

Edward, it looks like the style of the saya urushi is called Kuro Hirumaki or something very similar.

 

Ken

[Eric H]

There are two nagasa: 17.2 cm and 13.2 cm...which is correct?

 

Kaga Kiyomitsu

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12391

 

kaiken - mamori gatana - yomeiri tanto

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6453

 

Eric

[runagmc]

Is a kaiken primarily for self defense or for jigai?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jigai

From what I've read, they kept the kaiken in a bag even when carrying them. If self defense was their purpose, I would think that you would want it to be more easily accessable. It sounds to me like kaiken were a status symbol for women of the samurai class, kind of like the daisho was for men. The reference on jigai was interesting. It sounds like mabey these were kept by women of the samurai class for this purpose as well.

[edzo]

Dear Eric, sorry for the mistake, 13.3cm should be 13.8cm I did edit my original post, sorry for that.Ed

[leo]

It served both purposes off course.

Nice find by the way. I like the unusually long ubu nakago with the full signature and the typical Kaga-jiri!

 

Regards,

Martin

[edzo]

Dear Adam and Eric, I think your link, posted above, is the most specific regarding Kaiken, and the Kaga Kiyomitsu sword link. Thanks Ed (Edited)

[Geraint]

Dear all.

 

Tanto fest! Whatever it is I love it. For what it's worth I attach two images; one is of what I would call an aikuchi because of the lack of tsuba, the second is what I have always understood to be a yomeiri tanto. The first has a shin shinto blade signed by Seishin shi Masayuki, the saya is a rather fetching lacquer with aogi used to create a brocade effect and pale horn fittings plus a mini bashin.

The second is unsigned and probably Taisho, mu mei blade with hi and a pretty lacquer job on the tsuka and saya. This tanto has no kurikata but it has a bevel on the kashira like the one you posted. This is to make it possible to discern by feel which side the edge is on when the tanto is worn in the folds of a robe.

 

As with most things in the fascinating hobby I am sure there are exceptions and oddities to every rule but what the heck, they are still pretty.

[edzo]

Dear members, am I ccorrect? and what would you call a tanto mounted as a tessen? Its likely a tourist piece. I guess the top and bottom tanto are Kaiken according to Adams link. Would the use of "aikuchi Kaiken" be proper or would it be just Kaiken? Thank You Ed

[cabowen]

You can never go wrong with "tanto".....

[runagmc]

My understanding is that all kaiken are aikuchi. Kaiken is a specific type of aiguchi mounting.