Bensuke Posted March 9, 2013 Report Posted March 9, 2013 Hello to all! I'm new on this forum. I used to check it for the wide variety of information it gathers, and finally registered. I am now the happy owner of an Edo Jidai wakizashi and I am looking for its "holder/katanakake". I found one I would like to buy, but i feel the wakizashi's size and the katanakake's are not matching. I asked the seller his opinion, he told me they will fit each other perfectly. Since he's a renowned seller and had only positive feedbacks, I think he answered me honestly. However, when comparing the sizes, I can't help but feel unsure about it... I would like your opinions, here are the sizes of the wakizashi and katanakake, as I got them: Wakizashi Koshirae full length: 66cm Blade full length: 59,2 cm Temper length: 45,9cm Sori: 1,1cm Width: 2,5cm Thick: 0,55mm Katanakake Length: 7.3" / 18,5cm Width: 22.4" / 57cm that's the part bothering me Height: 12/6" / 32cm I feel like the Katanakake's width will not allow me hang the Wakizashi properly: the tsuba might be between the 2 holder parts. It seems quite unbalanced to me. However, if both of them could match, it would be perfect! What do you think? Do they seem "matchable" to you? Thanks for your help! Quote
ROKUJURO Posted March 9, 2013 Report Posted March 9, 2013 BENSUKE, welcome to the NMB forums! I hope you will enjoy the NMB and learn a lot as I do! Your feeling is quite correct: If properly placed, the TSUKA will not be supported on the KATANA KAKE, otherwise the cutting edge might damage the SAYA. By the way, your blade seems unusually thin with 0,55 mm...... Please sign your posts, it is a rule here. Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted March 9, 2013 Report Posted March 9, 2013 Please sign your name to all posts per Brian's rules. The width of a katanakake is generally listed as the entire/overall width, rather than the distance between the two vertical pieces where you would mount a katana or wakizashi. But not knowing the exact dimensions of either it or your specific wakizashi, it's not possible to give you an accurate response. Welcome to the forum. Ken Quote
Soten_Fan Posted March 9, 2013 Report Posted March 9, 2013 You are right to think that placing a wakizashi on an average size katanakake is problematic. To achieve perfect geometry you would have to obscure the tsuba by placing it on the inside part of the holder. I suggest you try a tanto stand because they are usually good for wakizashis too. Some antique ones tend to be quite elaborate too (although a bit expensive) Quote
Bensuke Posted March 10, 2013 Author Report Posted March 10, 2013 Many thanks everybody, this really helped! Rokujuro: since you spoke about the wakizashi's width, i decided to post some pics of it for you to get a clear idea of its dimensions. The blade in itslef is mumei, estimated Edo Jidai but no certificate to prove it... As the seller (Onishi san) seems quite serious, I trust this estimation (altough i think it is a late Edo wakizashi). The fittings (Edo too) are particularly original and interesting, although the blade in itself is quite simple (no great hamon here, even if the hada seems quite good to me). Do you know where I could find a matching katana/tanto kake on the internet? I really want to get it before I receive the sword, in order to protect its blade. However, I couldn't find it yet... Except on Yahoo auction, but the system seems quite difficult for a foreign user (especially concerning shipping). Thanks for your help and advice!! Quote
ROKUJURO Posted March 10, 2013 Report Posted March 10, 2013 ......Rokujuro: since you spoke about the wakizashi's width,...... Ben, no, I cited the thickness. Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted March 10, 2013 Report Posted March 10, 2013 May I ask where you live, as that might improve the recommendation options, as people might know someone near to you who might sell suitable kake. Token Bijutsu Kogeisha has multiple stand designs and could pick one that is of your liking: http://www16.plala.or.jp/katana-iimura/ ... ord%20rack They also list the width of the rack part for easier buying. Quote
Bensuke Posted March 10, 2013 Author Report Posted March 10, 2013 Rokujuro: my bad! What is your opinion about this wakizashi? Jussi Ekholm: thank you for your help! To answer your question, I live in France. I checked the Token Bijutsu Kogeisha website, it is quite interesting! I might buy my kake from them! Thank you! Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted March 10, 2013 Report Posted March 10, 2013 Ben, just for your info, a blade in full koshirae is considered as "protected." Just store it edge up & all will be fine. A katanakake is intended to both "show off" the blade & to allow quick access if you need to use it in a hurry. Otherwise, the blade would be stored long-term in a katanadansu. Ken Quote
ROKUJURO Posted March 10, 2013 Report Posted March 10, 2013 Rokujuro.....What is your opinion about this wakizashi?..... Pas mal. There are no details shown in your photos so it's difficult to give a well-based opinion. Obviously it is SURIAGE (shortened) which could have had different reasons. Quote
Bensuke Posted March 11, 2013 Author Report Posted March 11, 2013 Merci Jean. You're right, I will post some other pics tonight, notably close ups of the blade. No visible flaws on it, looks like a suguha to me although some slight variations on the hamon can be seen. The blade in itself doesn't look exceptional but the "grain" seems quite good to me. I also thought avout this wakizashi to be a suriage but the tang seemed quite "clean" to me. Another point to be checked with complementary pics! Quote
Bensuke Posted March 11, 2013 Author Report Posted March 11, 2013 As promised, here are some complementary pictures. Following Jean's feedback, I started thinking this might be a suriage wakizashi. I am not yet familiar with all the terms, but the tang actually looks like it once was the blade itself that got shortened... I still hope it is a "born wakizashi" but well, looking at the tang I am not sure about it anymore. It does look like a suriage wakizashi... Anyway, the fittings are quite interesting to me, and the hada still has something, altough the hamon is not spectacular. I think it is a correct 1st sword for an amateur! I am interested in your opinions, please let me know! Quote
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