Ray Singer

JSSUS Volume 27, No 2 - March - April, 1995 "The Ichimonji Hamon" Includes discussion on Sanchomo and the utushimono done by Ohno Yoshimitsu. Best regards, Ray

One theory is that the Ichimonji smiths did this type of wild juka choji-ba without clay. There was an article on the JSSUS where Yoshindo Yoshihara demonstrated how he could produce an Ichimonji type hamon with no clay. There was another gendai smith who recently passed away (I don't recall his name) who did so exclusively, successfully reproducing this hamon and creating works which also exhibited midare utsuri. Best regards, Ray

I believe that the owner is supposed to give the government an opportunity to purchase the item first. If I recall correctly that was the process which happened with O-Kanehira. Separately, there is another Ichimonji mei-to for sale, which resides here in the states. http://nihonto.com/AraIchi.html Best regards, Ray

Appreciate it, thanks Greg. Look forward to sharing pictures if that does happen. Best regards, Ray

Very true. Thank you Jean. Best regards, Ray

Yes it is Hoanh. Actually had hopes this would slip by relatively unnoticed, as I am the one who put in the first bid. Best regards, Ray

Thank you Arnold, appreciate the insight on this!

I am curious if anyone has thoughts on this sayagaki, referring to the sword as being the first Juho Token. http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumei-tegai-7 My assumption is that this is the first (or one of the first) swords appraised by the JTK. I have emailed Aoi but have not received a clear answer on this. Best regards, Ray

Agreed, congratulations to whoever made this purchase. That is an excellent buy.

I would agree with the comments that this appears to be an authentic sword, an osuriage mumei wakizashi. I am struggling to understand what is on the fuchi and kashira. With a bit of adjustment in Photoshop you can see the karakusa pattern, but the objects on top look equal parts Peony and Crab. Suggestions for the mon on the menuki below. It would be great to see better, in focus photos of the sword and fittings. The menuki appear to consist of 3 mon placed on an elongated tablet shape, which is odd. The habaki also appears wrong to my eyes.

My guess on the blade is Fujiwara Kanemune. Best regards, Ray

It does not appear to be a ka-mon. Rather, I believe it is a family name.

坂倉言之進照包 - Sakakura Gonnoshin Terukane The signature of a well-known, jojo saku smith who had the earlier mei of Echigo (no) Kami Kanesada. Best regards, Ray

Additional photos and information have been added to my Facebook page at the link below. I was unaware before, but the Kanetoki tanto was featured in John Slough's reference on Gendaito, with a full length oshigata. https://www.facebook.com/Swordsofjapan/ Please 'Like' the page to receive further updates. Best regards, Ray

Not Kicho. Hozon Token. Best regards, Ray

Please see below for new pieces for I have listed on my website. AIZU KANESADA An flawless katana in polish and papered to Aizu Kanesada circa Genroku (1688) in original koshirae. $4,800 (plus shipping & pp) http://swordsofjapan.com/project/genroku-period-aizu-kanesada-in-fantastic-koshirae/ YAMATO-DEN KEN A Yamato-style ken from the Edo period in shirasaya. Flawless, in polish with a mukansa quality habaki. $1,600 (plus shipping & pp) http://swordsofjapan.com/project/edo-period-yamato-ken/ NAGINATANAOSHI WAKIZASHI A massive and flawless koto naginatanaoshi, in shirasaya with 2-piece gold wash habaki. Spectacular hamon in nie-deki $1,800 (plus shipping & pp) http://swordsofjapan.com/project/naginatanaoshi-wakizashi-in-shirasaya/ ZENNOSUKE KATO JUMYO A large and wide gendaito by Kato Jumyo, the teacher of Kato Kanefusa. In original kai-gunto koshirae. $1,500 (plus shipping & pp) http://swordsofjapan.com/project/gendaito-katana-by-zennosuke-kato-jumyo-in-kai-gunto-koshirae/ MINO KANETOKI GENDAI TANTO Exellent quality signed and dated gendai tanto by the famous Kojima Kanemichi. Kanetoki was his shomei (first signature). From the Zenjo Kaneyoshi school. $2,000 (plus shipping & pp) Additional pieces available at: http://swordsofjapan.com/home/gallery/ Best regards, Ray

I share Jean's concern about the viability of restoring this sword. It seems to be largely composed of loose hada with numerous kitae ware (at least from what can be seen in the photo). Very tired, of poor quality or both. Best regards,

Hi Stephen, I spoke with Adrian, who said that it is mostly likely the Kuki Masamune (九鬼正宗) you are referring to. Best regards, Ray

Jacques, in response to your private message the nakago would have been reduced for the same reason that most of these earlier naginata we see were modified. They were adjusted to be used as daito or wakizashi.

Jacques, if you would like to continue the discussion about why you believe the Katayama Ichimonji is ubu please do so here rather that sending me private messages. I stand by my earlier comment that the evidence shows that the nakago has been modified and is not what you would expect to see from an ubu mid-Kamakura nakago. If you look at the oshigata, the lowest part of the hamon shown is a continuation of the same saka-choji, and not what you would see from a hamon that ends naturally at the hamachi. In their photo it also appears that there is some continuation of the hamon into the nakago, even if it is not as clear as what is above the hamachi. I am not referring to the hadori work. When a sword is made suriage, heat is applied to soften the hamon and make the process easier. If I am seeing correctly, it appears that there is a trace of the hamon below what is shown in the oshigata. I have attached an image with the levels adjusted.

島田住源義助 Shimada ju Minamoto Yoshisuke.

There are individuals such as Mike Yamasaki (tetsugendo.com) and Bob Benson (togishi.com) who can handle the process of bringing your sword to Tanobe-sensei for a sayagaki.

Jacques, note how the hamon runs across the sabigiwa and into the nakago. Also, look at the freshness of the yasurimei for a sword which dates to mid Kamakura.

And I need to disagree in kind Jacques. Aside from the kissaki, as Guido said naginatanaoshi does not exclusively refer to a modified kissaki, there is other evidence that this sword began life as a naginata. Look at the nakago, long with little tapering and a positioning of the mekugi-ana far lower in relation to the ha-machi than you would expect otherwise. Best regards, Ray

Offhand I do not recall seeing another naginata which had that shape, of a traditional naginata on one side and shinogi zukuri on the reverse. Best regards, Ray