Shinogi

[Justin]

Came across this earlier today:

 

http://www.ricecracker.com/japanese_swo ... a/sk15.htm

 

It seems odd to have a ridge line on one side and not the other. Has anyone come across this before? The description says it's a characteristic of swords from Kyushu.

 

I've seen a sword with the ridge line in different places on each side, but not this shinogi zukuri/hira zukuri combination.

 

Thought it might be of interest.

 

Regards

Justin

[Stever]

Not hugely common, but they're around, along with more elaborate combinations/variations. I believe it's called katakiriha zukuri. Interesting that they say it's a feature of that school, didn't know that. Love to know if you find any more info on that.

 

cheers,

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Check out the Dai-tsuki habaki on the Usagiya habaki page below.

It's obviously made for this style of blade.

 

http://www.ksky.ne.jp./~sumie99/habaki.html

[Stever]

Heh, that's an interesting coincidence...I did a quick search yesterday on katakiri when I posted this and found these pics:

[Justin]

Thanks Steve and Simon.

 

That would mean that the seppa, tsuba and fuchi would all have to be the same shape as the habaki. Seems like a lot of trouble to go to for a purely artistic effect.

 

I wonder if there was some technical reason for combining shinogi zukuri and hira zukuri. Maybe they thought it was stronger than pure shinogi or hira?

 

Cheers

Justin

[Guest Simon Rowson]

Hi Justin,

 

A Japanese dealer once showed me one of these blades and he described it as a sort of "super armour-piercing tanto".

 

So, maybe the shinogi/hira-zukuri combination is meant to give additional strength as you say.

 

I don't think the seppa, fuchi and tsuba (if any) would pose too many problems for the respective fittings makers.

 

All the best,

Simon