NBTHK Shijo Kantei 687

[Toryu2020]

I wonder did anyone else notice that this sword was a repeat?

I only recently started seriously working these problems again and I am curious if this happens often?

-t

[takakage]

Hi,

 

Yes, and it is not the first time. the 687 kantei is the same as 655 (sengo muramasa).

Have a nice day.

[paulb]

I haven't noticed any repeats previously in the 4 or 5 years I have been doing it. However when researching other kantei I have found swords appearing in much earlier magazines, some in the English language versions. when they do reappear the description is written differently (I assume a different author)

I guess like every one else the NBTHK has a finite number of sword from which to produce these each month so the occasional repeat is likely to happen

[takakage]

Toryu and Paul B, i often see your names at the end of this monthly magazine........

[paulb]

Hi Patrick

Likewise I often see you there to.

I still think taking part in this monthly challenge is a great learning tool and certainly believe my ability to identify and understand what I am looking at has improved immensely since starting. I recommend it to everyone starting out as one of the best ways to learn especially if you do not have access to large numbers of good quality swords to look at in hand.

[takakage]

Yes, it is a way to learn "easy" because Nbthk gives all informations about suguta, hada, hataraki and very important, nakago informations add. It will be more difficult for me blade in hands with hidden nakago.

However, i don't know how many "gaijins" are members ? may be less of twenty ??? Fees are a little expensives.

[paulb]

I think there are a lot more than 20. In the UK last count was about 12 there are a lot more in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and a strong group in Scandinavia.

Also I think the US branch is very strong.

I agree with you that in some ways it is doing a half kantei because the identification of features has been done for you. But it does instil the necessary discipline in studying a blade. Also in the absence of swords in hand it does give at least a partial alternative.

[Toryu2020]

Patrick -

I have to say 655 was not that long ago - I guess I would not be surprised if I encountered one from 10 or more years ago.

 

For you US Branch members out there this should be required reading! If you are not submitting for the Shijo Kantei you are not getting your money's worth...

-t

[Stephen]

Tom

 

Maybe show members how to sign up for the Kant?

[Markus]

Also funny is that the 687 Shijo Kantei blade was just introduced as blade No. 5 of

the previous 686 issue´s Teirei Kansho Kai. :D

 

FYI: Alone the European Branch of the NBTHK has 110 members.

[takakage]

Hi Markus,

 

110 members for all european countries. How many in France ?

 

Thanks.

[Markus]

Patrick, there are only 4 French members at the moment.

[takakage]

Thanks Markus,

 

4 is better than 0

[Toryu2020]

Stephen asked, some time ago I know, how one might sign-up for the Shijo Kantei.

 

Since the answer is a bit involved it took me a while to get around to typing this up;

 

Fist off, please join the NBTHK - if in Japan through your local shibu, if in the US through the NBTHK/US or in Europe through the NBTHK branch for your home country. The cost of membership may seem dear at first but the benefits are worth it and the shijo kantei is a big part of that value.

 

As a member you will receive the monthly magazine Tô-Ken Bijutsu. On the back-side of the monthly "centerfold" you will find the Shijo Kantei sword for that month. Shijo Kantei is roughly "Mail-in appraisal" - so this is a contest to determine the maker of a sword based solely on the description given and the oshigata presented in the magazine.

 

The description is in Japanese, don't let that stop you, use your sword books and kanji flashcards to work your way through the description. It will be difficult at first but the real value in the practice is you will very quickly learn to read and speak "sword". Not only will you be able to translate this skill to the many other descriptions of swords in the magazine each month but I find it is useful when speaking to Germans, Frenchmen, Spaniards and even Japanese with whom I share no other common language but "Sword".

 

There is a post card in the back of the magazine for you to use, you must provide the postage and you have to post your answer to the NBTHK so that it arrives no later than the 5th of the next month. the address is;

 

Nihon Bijutsu Tô-Ken Hozon Kyokai

(Shijo-kantei)

Yoyogi 4.25.10

Shibuya-ku Tokyo-to

Japan 151-0053

 

Your answer need only be the name of the smith, unless of course there are several generations in which case to get full points you need to include which generation. There is space for you to explain your reasoning, this may be left blank. If you do put something in, it helps the judges to provide a better experience for all in future contests. (note if you keep a journal of your answers you can track your own progress). The answer appears in the next months issue. A full explanation and the name of those who submitted correct (atari) or near miss (dozen) bids will appear in the issue two months later.

 

I will attempt to add some photos to illustrate...

 

-t

[Toryu2020]

Of course if working all this out in Japanese is too much for you - I can highly recommend the Shijo-kantei as published in the NTHK Journal Tô-ken to Rekishi.

 

The explanations and answers are presented in Japanese and English. Translations by our own Dr Gordon Robson, in addition the lecture/explanations for the monthly kantei-kai and the occasional article are provided to the membership at no extra charge. This is a considerable amount of excellent information on swords delivered right to your mailbox in English - While the cost of dual membership is high, I find tremendous value in both.

-t

[Jussi Ekholm]

That is very nice post Thomas, it's still too hard for a novice like me in general, but hopefully when I get more experience under my belt I might actually start sending in my guesses.

 

For those with limited Japanese reading skills like myself, you can find the English translations here: http://www.touken.or.jp/english/translation1.html

 

And here is a direct link to issue 688, and you can look the Shijo Kantei description in English and oshigata is in that post above by Thomas: http://www.touken.or.jp/english/translation/688.htm

 

And don't forget people that when you are a NBTHK member you can attend NBTHK meetings.

[takakage]

 

and the oshigata. no need to say the answer until the 5 th june.

[takakage]

In the 688 monthly magazine, the award result of tsuba with one french . Is someone knows his work ????