Katana - Early Edo period c. 1650

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello Everyone,

I have been going to post this katana for about a year now and keep forgetting. Today it's raining here and I decided to inspect my Japanese blades, something I do about every 3 to 4 weeks, and decided to post this sword.

First the history of this blade.

This is NOT the blade of those Samurai dandies you see in the moves. They did exist and were specialist of the quick draw and slash moves. With them it was zip-zip and someone died. This was a blade made to the common soldier, the front line grunt who won the battle and with some luck survived the war to return to farming his master's lands. Most blades available are probably of this quality. The quality is very good but not of the true Samurai quality blades. Naturally most collectors will claim their blade to have belonged to these noble, albeit flamboyant, warriors, when in reality they were made for the blood and guts, hack and slashers. The blade has some true battle damage though it is not a fatal flaw. A fatal flaw in collector's circles renders the blade as junk. The damaged area was polished out back in the 1650s and I have tried to indicate this in the photo with a pencil pointing to this area.

FYI

When you see a collector's sword(s) it is NOT polite to ask to see the blade. It he wants to show you the blade he will offer. If this honour is offered do not, and I can not say this enough, DO NOT touch the blade in any way. Do not "feel" the edge with your tuumb like you would a pocket knife. ONLY A MORON DOES THIS! Some day I will bore you with instructions on proper handling and drawing of a blade for viewing but for now I'll let my blood pressure get back down to above normal.

Now for those of us who are die hard Japanese sword guys, the technical side of this post.

It is a katana with a Shinto blade (1597-1780) from the early Edo period, c.1650.

The blade shape is Shinogi Zukuri with a Midare hamon (temper line). and the kissaki (tip) is boshi (tempered point) and is also of the o type. This is spelled with a horizontal line above the "o" but I don't know how to do that on the computer. the term "o" means long. You might think it is actually Chu (line over the "U") which means medium and I won't argue but I think it is "o".

The mune (shape of the back of the blade) is Ihori which means it is shaped like a roof's ridge.

The nakago (tang) is Futsu shaped with a nakago-jiri (tang tip shape) of the Kiri (flat) shape. I didn't show the tang as it ihas no Mei (not signed). The Yasurime-mei (tang file marks) are kiri (horozontal) style. There are two makugi-ana (tang holes) in the tang.

The tsuba (hand guard) is tosho (sword smith made) and was cut down from a larger tsube.

This is one of my favourite sword and I hope you like it.

Cheers

Brian

[Brian Wolfe]

Here is a closeup of the hamon (temper line) which is of the Midare (irregular) style.

[Brian Wolfe]

Here is the kissaki (tip) that I am calling the "o" style (long). There may be room to argue that it is more Chu (medium) than o as I stated earlier. Remember that the "o" and "u" in Chu both have a horizontal line above them. I would welcome your views on the kissaki.

Also note the boshi (tempered tip). The hamon (temper line) runs all the way along the Ha (edge) to the very tip. If this were repaired due to breakage the hamon would "run out" through the curve of the tip.

Edited May 17, 2008 by Brian Wolfe

[Brian Wolfe]

Here is a view of the damaged area of the Ha (edge) that has been polished out.

[Brian Wolfe]

Here is the tsuba (hand guard) which was tosho (sword smith made) from a large and probably much older tsuba. The use of older and out of date furniture is fairly common with the swords made for the common soldier in that period.

[Brian Wolfe]

Here is a view of the fuchi (collar) which has a tree trunk and cherry blossom design. The "same" (rayskin) under the ito (braided) tsuka (handle) is also visable in this photo.

[Brian Wolfe]

The tsuka (handle) quite often, if not always, had menuki (ornaments) between the ito (braid) and the same (rayskin) to allow for a better grip on the handle. If you have ever used a katan you will know how much these little menuki help the swordman's grip.

This particiular katana has menuli of a cherry blossom and leaves design.

The kashira (buttcasp) is also visable and have no ornamentation.

[Brian Wolfe]

Lastly (I thought he'd never stop) is a photo of the katana in its saya (scabbard). The saya is not original, at least I don't believe it to be. These tended to be replaced from time to time as required to protect and preserve the katana.

I keep a tag attached to each of my Japanese swords with their descriptions as a quick reference and an aid to my failing memory.

I hope you liked my post and I hope I did not over do it by too much.

Zzzzzzz anyone?

Cheers

Brian

[Ed Maroli]

Brian, That is an excellent sword. I always liked the samurai sword for being both a weapon and a hand made work of art.

~Ed

[Brian Wolfe]

Thanks Ed.

Brian

[naoki matsumoto]

The tsuka (handle) quite often, if not always, had menuki (ornaments) between the ito (braid) and the same (rayskin) to allow for a better grip on the handle. If you have ever used a katan you will know how much these little menuki help the swordman's grip.

This particiular katana has menuli of a cherry blossom and leaves design.

The kashira (buttcasp) is also visable and have no ornamentation.

Hi,This Nihon-tou is late of EDO?

Menuki is ..?

maker's name worte?

[Ulsterman]

whoa-nice,very nice.

[Brian Wolfe]

Hi,This Nihon-tou is late of EDO?

Menuki is ..?

maker's name worte?

Thank you for the infomation.

The blade is not signed.

Regards

Brian

[Brian Wolfe]

whoa-nice,very nice.

Thanks Ulsterman.

Regards

Brian

[lach470]

What a killer sword Brian! Absolutely first class....They don't get much better than this! And the condition for it's age is perfect! I love it! Thanks for showing bro!

Rob

[naoki matsumoto]

Here is a closeup of the hamon (temper line) which is of the Midare (irregular) style.

Brian,nice blade of "NIE"

Samurai of edo,great history :cheers: