DigsFossils-n-Knives

Here is the only example that I know of a katana with a hardened mune http://www.ricecracker.com/inventory/649_katana_daido/649_katana_daido.htm

First I'd like to point out that all iron on this planet or in iron meteorites was formed most likely from a supernova. The two things that would make it a challenge to forge a blade are: 1) the cost - iron meteorites are very expensive 2) understanding the composition of the meteorite so that it can be blended with other metals or 'stuff' to achieve the right amount of carbon and useful elements and hopefully dilute out the of bad or unnecessary elements. Or maybe use it to make a Damascus like blade. FYI: Wiki claims that a Gibeon Meteorite is 91.8% Fe; 7.7% Ni; 0.5% Co; 0.04% P and other trace elements.

I've done a little bit of research on the smith but it's a bit confusing. His name changed a few times, was he 2nd generation(?) or 3rd generation(?), the years done agree: [From the website: http://www.ryujinswords.com/hisamichi.htm: Hisamichi (1626-1711, floruit 1650-1673) was the pupil of Iga Kami Kinmichi. In 1661 he was granted the title of Omi Daijo; the following year he was awarded the title of Omi no Kami and the right to use the kiku mon. He became one of the Kyoto Go Kaji or five great swordsmiths of Kyoto. Although he was not originally a member of the Mishina family, the honor of being selected as one of the Kyoto Go Kaji meant that he established an influential family with in the Mishina school. Hisamichi followed his teacher's styles. He used gunome midare hamon with box-like patterns, as well as suguha, and toranba with tobi-yaki. The first generation did not have a son, and it appears that he adopted Kinshiro, the son of the third generation Rai Kinmichi. Hisamichi made quite a few swords with his son. However, the second generation used an edagiku (chrysanthemum and branch) above his mei.] [From the website: http://www.nihonto.us/HISAMICHI%20KATANA.htm: An elegant ubu katana signed, Edagiku (chrysanthemum & branch) Omi no Kami Minamoto Hisamichi / Kan'en san nen uma ni gatsu hi (a day in February 1750 [year of the] horse) {edit: Hisamichi died in 1711 or 1714}. Shinogizukure, iroi mune, chu kissaki. Hawatare: 27.439". Motohaba: 2.56 cm. Sakihaba: 1.83 cm. Kasane: 5.7 mm. A long yakidashi becoming an even chu-gunome, gunome togare, o-gunome midare, togare, with gunome separating into double gunome in places. Fine ko nie, sunagashi, deep and wide ashi iri, fine kinsuji, nado. Mishina boshi with some fine hakikaki. O-itame nagare near the machi, becoming more compact moving forward, and nagare prevalent toward the ha. Profuse ji nie giving the metal a wet appearance. Profuse chikei, nado. The shinogi ji is masame. Mounted in shirasaya with silver foil habaki, NBTHK Hozon kanteisho. This is likely a gassaku (collaboration or joint work) by the first and second generation Hisamichi. However, there are also daisaku works extant. The shodai Hisamichi has a sharpness rating of Ryowazamono. Rated Josaku in Fujishiro's Nihon Toko Jiten - Shinto Hen, valued at 4,500,000 yen in Toko Taikan by Tokuno, five pages of illustrations in Shinto Taikan. Hisamichi was from Yamashiro, and along with Yoshimichi, Kanemichi, and Kinmichi, a member of the Mishina school, all of whom made the classic Mishina boshi. He was one of the Kyogo Kaji, Five Smiths of Kyoto. The nidai Hisamichi has a sharpness rating of Wazamono, is rated Chujosaku in, Fujishiro's Nihon Toko Jiten - Shinto Hen, valued at 3,800,000 yen in Toko Taikan by Tokuno, three and a half of illustrations in Shinto Taikan. The niidai Hisamichi was the son of Kinmichi, and the adopted son of Tamba no Kami Hisamichi. His works are mostly gassaku with his adoptive father. There are gassaku and daisaku works. These were signed with the Edagiku. Gassaku (collaboration or joint work), daisaku are swords produced by a student in their teachers or fathers style, with full permission, these are often signed by the teacher rather than the student. The koshirae: the saya is black ishime; the tsuka is wrapped in blue ito, with iron fuchi kashira decorated with peonies in gold and copper; the menuki are gilt shishi. The tsuba in a Momoyama Heianjo brass inlay of stirrups, grasses, and copper dew drops, there are tekotsu. ] [From the website: http://www.aoijapan.com/appraisal-quiz-281: Kikumon (chrysanthemum emblem) Oumi no kami Minamoto Hisamichi (First generation)/Enkyo 4 Hinotou nenn 2 gatsu hi (February. 1747). Special feature: Oumi no kami Hisamichi is named Horitarou-bee and was born in Kanei 3rd year (1626) at Eshu Noshu ward. He was a student of secede generation Iganokami Kinmichi and was chosen as one of five great sword smith of that time. He first received the chair of Oumi Daijyo at Kanbun 1st year and have become Oumi kami. There are chrysanthemum emblem at the top part of the signature. To be more specific, the emblem on this katana tang called Edakiku emblem. Edakiku is a chrythanthemum with leaves and branches. It is well known that Hisamichi uses this emblem. This sword is wide and thick magnificent looking sword. The charm of nie work is fully expressed. The jigane and chikei work is especially food. The hamon is coarse and rustic. There are many activities in the ha such as sunagashi and kinsuji works. It is masterpiece of Hisamichi. He was a long living sword smith at the time who has passed away at Shotoku 1st year (1714) at age of 85.] [From the website: http://sanmei.com/contents/media/N56869_W3388_PUP_E.htm: N56869(W3388) Wakizashi signed KIKU crest Oumi-no-kami Minamoto HISAMICHI. The signature in front starts with 16 petals chrysanthemum flower KIKU-mon 菊紋, the an official district title Omi-no-kami 近江守, clan name Minamoto 源 then smith name HISAMICHI 久道. The first smith HISAMICHI, real name HORI ROKUROUBEI 掘六郎兵衛 is a pupil of 2nd gen. Iga-no-kami KINMICHI 伊賀守金道 to establish one of the five major schools so called "KYO-GOKAJI" in Kyoto - Iganokami KINMICHI 伊賀守金道, Izuminokami KINMICHI 和泉守金道, Tanbanokami YOSHIMICHI 丹波守吉道, Echunokami MASATOSHI 越中守正俊 and himself - Ouminokami HISAMICHI 近江守久道. He enjoyed Oumi-daijo title in the 1st year of kanbun (1661) and also Oumi-no-kami title in the same year. Many of his own works are chiselled with "16 petals KIKU-mon" and it is understood that ones with "Twig KIKU-mon" on after 8th year of Enpo (1680) are DAISAKU, made by 2nd gen. This is a typical example of HISAMICHI work made by 1st gen., on after he enjoyed Oumi-no-kami title in 1661. He studied from Igano-kami KINMICHI and MISHINA school influence can be seen in the Jihada Kitae and Boshi.]

The pics above where taken a few months ago. It was this week that someone recommended to place a soft cloth under the blade to protect the edge (on my other post). Thanks, I've done that.

This was my first nihonto. With advice from a friendly forumite, from another forum, I acquired this gem and for a great price. To date I have purchased 3 items from AOIJAPAN. Good communication and great service. I like this company. Wakizashi : Oumi Kamo Minamoto Hisamichi (2nd generation) Signature: Oumi Kamo Minamoto Hisamichi (2nd generation) shinto:Cyujyo saku ranking: The blade was polished. Blade length : 43.6 cm or 17.16 inches. Sori : 0.7 cm or 0.27 inches. Mekugi: 1 Width at the hamachi :2.61 cm or 1.02 inches. Width at the Kissaki : 2.78cm or 1.09 inches. Kasane :0.55 cm or 0.21 inches. Era :Edo period Kanbun era. Shape : The Naginata is rather long size. Jitetsu :Koitame had well grained with jinie attach and nice clear texture. Hamon : Niedeki suguha from the hamachi and then gunome midair hamon. In Ha, sunagashi and small kinsuji work. The hamon is very active Gunome midair with thicker nioikuchi. Special feature : Oumi Kamo Minamoto Hisamichi was a student of the 2nd generation Iga Kami Kinmichi and selected as 5 Kyoto famous Kaji(sword makers) First he was called Oumi Daijyo and then changed to Oumi Kami. He has lived long liege till 85 years of ages . This sword was engraved Kiku branch on the Nakago which is 2nd sword makers by Daisaku. It is rare item for the first generation Naginata. NBTHK Hozon paper. Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata. Pics provided by AOIJAPAN: My pics:

Thanks everyone for your comments and any info is greatly appreciated. I will be googling the new info to understand more about this tanto. This just inspires me to learn more and to focus on the specific item. Bruno - thanks a mil' for the link. This tanto one of four antiques I have acquired this year. I'll post pics of the others soon when I find the time. THANKS AGAIN! Jean - you are absolutely right. The deer antlers is tough/hard stuff. But in this case the blade has no edge (I think that's a bit odd); it's dull like a butter knife (not kidding). I will use a cloth to avoid scratching the sides of the blade. Newbie mistake.

Hi everyone. My first thread and I wanted to share this. I recently started collecting nihontos and I'd like to share my very small collection. Open to comments or info. I have a lot to learn and would greatly appreciate any info you have. THANKS Here is the write-up by AoiJapan: Tanto in Koshirae. Signature : Mumei (ShinShin To) The blade was polished. Blade length : 22.8 cm or 8.97 inches. Sori : 0.1 cm or 0.03 inches. Mekugi : 1 Width at the hamachi : 2.54 cm or 1 inches. Kasane : 0.59 cm or 0.23 inches. Era : Late Edo period. Shape : Regular size Tanto. Jitetsu : Itame Hada well grained with Jinie attach. The hada pattern is well seen. Hamon : Nie Deki Gunome Midare. Boshi is Hakikake style. Special feature : This blade was made using old iron of Koto period during the Edo period. Koshirae : Black color Aikuchi Koshirae with family crest. Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata. My pictures: AOIJAOPAN's pics:

I've been wanting that one and the "Long Ko-Uda Nagamaki Naoshi Katana" for a long time. But I've been spending too much on other items.

Hi everyone. I'm a new collector to historical Japanese swords. I joined this form to gain as must info as possible on all aspects of swords and Japanese history. At this time I only have two swords but I think my collection will be growing quickly. -Digs