edzo Posted March 13, 2012 Report Posted March 13, 2012 Dear Members, I’m perplexed after searching many sources and books on properly defining the hamon and bo-hi. I have included here some photographs exhibiting the issues I am challenged by. 1. The hamon that is visible appears to be Hako-madare but, there are maru valleys between each boxed shaped ones. Would this still be referred to as Hako-midare? Or what? 2. The second issue regards the bo-hi,. In this case there is a bo-hi on the shinogi that is small and 2/4 of the blade, together with a wide koshi-hi. How would this configuration be referred to? 3. Is this hamon characteristic of a school or smith? I cannot find the characteristic in many of the smiths I researched. Thank You in advance,EdF Quote
cabowen Posted March 13, 2012 Report Posted March 13, 2012 Not hako-midare. Keep searching..... Quote
edzo Posted March 13, 2012 Author Report Posted March 13, 2012 Dear Chris, The nearest thing i have encountered was a 16th cent mino gunome-madare which may fit this blade due to the variations however ,, the somewhat pointed peaks threw me, Is this correct? Ed Quote
cabowen Posted March 13, 2012 Report Posted March 13, 2012 It is a gunome-midare with togari (pointed elements)..... Quote
edzo Posted March 13, 2012 Author Report Posted March 13, 2012 Dear Chris, Thanks, I'm trying to not be distracted by the signature, a possible tribute to, nara sanjo munechika, maybe to much (if i'm correct), with that translation on the blade. If i may give you a sincere compliment, IMHO, you possess a purist conviction in your appreciation and discretion of traditional nihonto blades to an extent that your opinion and perspective is invaluable to me, thanks. Ed Quote
Toryu2020 Posted March 13, 2012 Report Posted March 13, 2012 Ed - Remember that the points in your hamon, the parts closest to the shinogi, are the "tops" of your hamon. The flat, straight parts closest to the edge are the valleys, the "bottom." If you think of it in this way it is easy to see that this is not hako-midare. fwiw -t Quote
edzo Posted March 13, 2012 Author Report Posted March 13, 2012 Dear T Helm, Thank you for that and your participation, I have been under the impression that it was the reverse. The challenge of attempting to learn and grow my knowledge, digest a level of understanding, appreciation and comprehension of this art form. Being of the west, with limited resources and relying on leaning from electronic resources as well as the publications i own leaves me at a disadvantage in terms of accurately parseing the resulting information provided. Unrelated to your response I would like to compliment you on your posts (videos), that sends home (to me), your achievment in the artform of metalwork, I would be proud of anything you created, wish I had some $! at this time. Thanks again EdF Quote
runagmc Posted March 13, 2012 Report Posted March 13, 2012 Ed, thanks for posting all these interesting pieces lately to give us something to look at. The tribute on the omote is something I can't remember ever seeing before. I have seen similar on kogatana, obviously, and katakiriha tanto, but always on the ura. I would think the tribute is non-original and done by someone other than the smith... mabey an owner. Most collectors would probably consider this a flaw... similar to a bad horimono. What does everyone else think? I think this blade has what is called a naginata-hi... Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted March 13, 2012 Report Posted March 13, 2012 The Kashima sisters in Japan have a tanto for sale at the moment which also has the signature on the blade. They call it Kogatana style. It is Kata kiriha zukuri. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/sword6.html KM Quote
cabowen Posted March 13, 2012 Report Posted March 13, 2012 Thank you for the compliment but in truth I am simply passing along what others shared so selflessly with me. I am happy if I can help. The Sanjo Munechika engraving is an homage. I have seen these before. The low placement of the mekugi ana is usually seen on smaller blades made as souvenirs, more or less. Rather unusual on a blade of this size.... Quote
runagmc Posted March 14, 2012 Report Posted March 14, 2012 Chris, are you saying you think this tribute to Munechika is original to the blade? Like I said, I have seen similar as well, but not on the omote in this position. Quote
cabowen Posted March 14, 2012 Report Posted March 14, 2012 Chris, are you saying you think this tribute to Munechika is original to the blade? Like I said, I have seen similar as well, but not on the omote in this position. Given the nakago shape and mekugi ana placement, I would guess so.... Quote
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