How is the 'mune' formed during the forging process?

[DOH1006]

Hi all,

 

Does anyone know how the mune, let's say an Iori-mune, is formed? Is it grinded in or is it created during the forging process? And how does this affect the measurements of the Haba? Is the height of the ridge of the Iori-mune included in the Haba?

 

This is all part of my research for my own forging project. If the mune is grinded in after the forging I need tot include the height of the mune in the haba measurements as I want to make an exact replica of a specific katana.

 

Looking forward to hearing some expert opinions on this.

 

Kind regards,

Marten

[cabowen]

usually the mune is forged in. The width of a blade is measured from the ha to the top of the shinogi-ji, not the peak of the mune.

 

edit to correct.

[DOH1006]

@Chris

 

Thanks, do you know how this ridge (top of shinogi-ji) is called? It seems that the Japanese have names for almost everything...

 

Marten

[jensen6865]

Hi all,

 

Wow, I feel stupid! I have been reading and looking and had not read any description which specified the haba is form ha only to top of shinogiji and not the total width!

 

Thank you Chris! You who are experienced may forget that your statements in passing can instruct the rest of us. Thank you for continuing to reply to posts and let us learn from your knowledge.

 

Thanks, Dan

 

P.S.- Now I have to go remeasure the blade I am trying to identify.......Just when I thought I was getting a little grasp of........

[Edfest]

In Connoisseur's and Facts and Fundamentals, the width (mihaba) of the blade is from the ha (cutting edge) to the iori (the ridge) of the mune.

 

I'm new to this subject, so I'm not sure if there are differing opinions

 

And the line between the shinogi-ji and the mune is called the mune-kado according to Facts and Fundamentals... Which, by the way, is currently my favorite book!

 

-Ed

[cabowen]

You are correct- from peak of mune to hasaki is the mihaba, or width. Sorry for the confusion.

[Danocon]

The mune is forged in after the sunobe is formed and before the bevels of forged in. That way the full thickness of what will become the edge can rest on the anvil while the smith hammers the shape of the mune. It does not take lot of force to move this small amount of metal but still it would ruin the shape of the thin edge if done after the bevels are forged in.

 

It is refined later, as is the rest of the blade, with grinder, sen, files, stones etc..

 

Anyway, that is what I have observed from the few smiths I have worked with and do the same myself.