flemming

As a Mitsumori the signature is not good, as it is signed Morimitsu, of which there are many generations. This one probably selling as the highly ranked 2nd generation from around Oei. Lloyd

To address the original question; hitachi metals details the 5 kinds of iron sand regionally found in Japan. See section on iron sand... http://www.hitachi-metals.co.jp/e/tatara/index.htm Lloyd Flemming

I would like to just make some observations; it has consistencies with Ko-Aoe, like the visible utsuri, and significant original koshi-sori. It also seems to have notable saki-sori however. Of most interest is the first photo, as it shows the mokume grain crossing through the hamon into the yakiba, also found with Ko-Aoe. Regarding the first picture, it may be a reflection or something else, but along the yakiba edge, there appears to be an old nioi-line quite faded, but running in a Hoso-Suguha fashion above the edge. The hada in the yakiba seems to stop at that point, and below the dim suguha line appears a different steel, like a yakiba insert that has been cut back to re-harden the blade. The nie in the hamon looks dull, and seems to be sporadically above the habuchi, sometimes a sign of saiha. Of course, it may be some reflection, should have it in hand to really see what is going on. Lloyd

Barry, I thought your ko-Naminohira blade was outstanding, it was an excellent opportunity to study it, even for a short time. The members provided some remarkable swords for this event which were a joy to see. Lloyd Flemming

Thanks Ewe, that particular size of hada seems limited to one or two moritakas, with finer chikei and less prominence than Sadamori. That could be a Sadamori. Lloyd

And by the way, if that happens to be the or a Moritaka, then it is likely a convoluted 5 piece construction, in which the interface of the compicated yakiba piece with the ji is above the hamon, related to Hawleys #29 sub-assembly diagram. Lloyd Flemming

Nice photo Ewe; that seems to look like a Juyo Token Moritaka I had in hand yesterday, attributed to the third generation. Is that a possibility? Or is that a different sword? Lloyd Flemming

Hi There all I find hada to never appear fully as original in terms of chikei thickness, intensity and "realism". The pattern is the same, however unless every detail of the original yakiire is known, bake time, bake temp, quench temp etc, the hada will be altered from its original appearance. Here is another yaki-naoshi (saiha) by another big name, but since it is common in Hizen swords many of you will have seen this hada in hand, or reasonable photos. This was konuka hada of Omi-dai-jo Tadahiro ca 1640 or thereabouts. This is not the same quality of the konuka usually seen in the Hizen swords, the saiha is apparent, at least in my opinion. You can also see a ghost of the original hamon, this blade was originally suguha. The mizukage was moved behind the habaki with a machi-okuri operation, then nakago repatinated to hide it, something probably reserved for expensive swords. It would be interesting to know who did this work to the Tadahiro, it is not a terrible job by any means. Lloyd Flemming

Thanks Adrian, we have had some Sadamori blades in hand for photos, so those we already have. I hope people note the date of my first post in this thread, it is about 2 years old, and the book has been published. We may publish an addendum based on Ko-Kongobyoe samples being studied, so are only looking for very early Moritaka and Morikuni samples, around early to mid-Kamakura. Thank you for responding, the Sadamori swords I have seen are quite beautiful works. Lloyd F

I did use one image, you will see it hopefully by the end of next week. I believe your name is included, as is another member who I should contact. Yours was the only image I have seen that had the qualities of the sword photo you have posted above. In fact, I wish you could have photographed all of the book material, since you have obviously mastered this process. To get that kind of lateral focus I have to shoot at f32 for about 15 seconds, using a telephoto with close up tubes at a distance. It never looks as good as your results. I am going to feed your above large image into a pro-1printer when I have time, and I will bet the output is outstanding. In case there is a second printing, we have been adding slowly some of the missing Moritaka generations. Lloyd F.

That is a spectacular photo there, in hi res you can zoom into the hada nicely, and I notice your width (depth) of focus across the blade is amazing. Did you take that photo Ewe? I can see some hada in the ha, it almost looks like a Sadamori. Lloyd

Hi There I noticed this post today, and first to Jeff: The Morisadas were two groups at least, from Hyuga and also Hirado in Hizen. They are all after Ei-sho, working around 1530 or so, one in early shinto. There are 2 different types of kanji for "Sada" differentiating these smiths. I have not seen a sample in hand, they are not particularly common. Shame about the saiha re-hardening, but it is possible for the curvature to change on a re-hardened blade, so they do not make good representative samples of sugata, or hamon or hada. The signature is of interest if it is signed. We have been slowly collecting Moritaka generations to finally represent each generation and reconcile the signatures, some still eluding us. Hello to Ewe, that is a nice sample, a quick look at the sugata reminds me of an O-suriage Nambokucho sword, some of the koshi-sori has been lost I think, since the koshi-sori was nearly at the machi originally, like some earlier Bizen blades that now have a bit of a tori-sori look from shortening. In any event, the whole thing is nice and healthy looking and the hada is captured well in the photo. Lloyd Flemming

Hi There, You might consider Sukehiro. Lloyd Flemming

Hi Stephen Happened to have this on my desk, somewhere off the picture there is a date around Ei-Sho... Hope this confirms your fusa determination. Lloyd Flemming

I Just read the previous post erected while I was concocting mine....Kudos to you Sir, I think that sums it up. Lloyd Flemming JSSC