Kunihira

[Ichi]

The mukansa swordsmith Kawachi Kunihira's interview is found in youtube. FYI, just in case you missed it.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM0uBLzoxVw

[Eric H]

Excellent movie. Thanks for the information.

 

Eric

[Brian]

Thanks Erol,

Watched it today and really enjoyed it.

So you are the translator-type...how are your voice-over skills? :D

 

Brian

[Ichi]

Hi Brian,

 

The interviewer is asking various questions on the 2nd floor of Kunihira's workshop. This room is use for the final mei engraving, etc. Kunihira shows his recent blade just came back from the polish. He tells the 3 most important factors to judge the sword.

1) Sugata to judge the period

2) jihada to judge the school or province - blueish or white to tell what kind of satetsu was used, and look for any kizu, etc

3) hamon to identify the smith

 

Kunihira, being 65 years old, can produce any style and copy any school, but he's saying it's boring. In his early years, when he came up with a particular type accidently after trial and error it was more enjoyable.

 

Anyone can become a swordsmith. It only takes 10 years of apprentice.

 

There are three types of qualities one can produce. The highest quality stuff(which everyone aims for), average and poor blades. The more he aimed for the higher the more he makes mistakes. He ends up making average swords. The peak of swordsmiths are in their 40's and 50's. They are at their best.

 

Sorry I am at work and can only recall these.