GrantK Posted February 25, 2015 Report Posted February 25, 2015 Just about a year ago I contacted Mr. Chris Bowen about a potential project to have a tanto made for me and my family. I wanted a blade in the Gassan tradition to study their ayasugi hada and Chris was able to set everything up with Enomoto Sadahito in Japan. The projection was one year and Chris updated me with the progression as the blade went from the initial forging to shirasaya and then to final polish. I didn't get any pictures but in the end that really added to all the suspense . The tanto for me, came out perfect, a very imposing size and shape but the ayasugi itself was very subtle and subdued - and gives a very serene feeling while enjoying it. Even with a address flub on my part Chris called his postmaster and sorted everything out for me. If anyone is looking to get a new sword done I can say that Chris is an extremely stand up guy (though evident through the help he gives on this forum) and the service he provides is evident. I don't post that often but Chris really goes above and beyond and the quality of work produced by Enomoto Sadahito is amazing! My photography kinda sucks :3 2 Quote
Brian Posted February 25, 2015 Report Posted February 25, 2015 Beautiful blade, and beautifully finished off and signed . Brian Quote
GrantK Posted February 25, 2015 Author Report Posted February 25, 2015 Thanks all, I was really thrilled as well . Stats are, Nagasa - 26.3 cm, width at hamachi - 3.1 cm, kasane - 0.6 cm 1 Quote
cabowen Posted February 25, 2015 Report Posted February 25, 2015 Grant- Both myself and Enomoto san are thrilled that you are happy with the blade and greatly appreciate your kind words. I am also grateful for the opportunity to participate in the commissioning of this wonderful blade. Thank you! Quote
bubba-san Posted February 25, 2015 Report Posted February 25, 2015 Very sweet blade , much prettier than my girl friend ... Just kidding . It is very nice . James Quote
tokashikibob Posted February 25, 2015 Report Posted February 25, 2015 WOW! Now that's how to sign a blade! Quote
Art Torano Posted February 26, 2015 Report Posted February 26, 2015 Grant, That is quite a beautiful tanto! I am a huge fan of the Enomoto family and their work. I own two wakizashi, one by Tadahito and one by Tadiyoshi, they feel so good in hand. I recently had my Enomoto Katana mounted, some of the members here are familiar with it due to to the massive O'kissaki. I will be posting photos to NMB in the next week.. I am happy to see you enjoy their work as much as I have. Art Torano 1 Quote
Art Torano Posted February 26, 2015 Report Posted February 26, 2015 Stephen, Just a little teaser....the Katana on top is by Higo Kaneaki, the Katana on the bottom is the Enomoto, Tatsuyoshi Katana and the Wakizashi is Enomoto Sadahito. I will take some better pictures over the next few days. Art Torano 1 Quote
GrantK Posted February 26, 2015 Author Report Posted February 26, 2015 Hey Art, that's awesome! Cant wait to see them too! Quote
cabowen Posted February 26, 2015 Report Posted February 26, 2015 I ordered many swords from Tatsuyoshi before his untimely death and was always thrilled with the quality of his workmanship. He made many excellent swords. Sadahito's work is good but he has been making some really impressive pieces of late. This tanto, with it's organic, understated ayasugi hada, is one of my favorites and I have seen a lot of his work....You really scored Grant! 1 Quote
Art Torano Posted February 26, 2015 Report Posted February 26, 2015 Hey Guys, I found some photos of my Enomoto Sadahito Wakizashi from my IPhone. They don't do it justice. I am trying to figure out how to use a real camera. Art Torano 3 Quote
GrantK Posted February 27, 2015 Author Report Posted February 27, 2015 I agree wholeheartedly with that statement Chris, this tanto is amazing to me ! Makes me want to commission a daito haha, hopefully in a few years Hey Art, that's a beautiful wakizashi too! The horimono make it really interesting. Quote
Soshin Posted February 27, 2015 Report Posted February 27, 2015 Hi Grant K., Very nice tanto! Sorry about coming across as such as ass. I must be more then a bit envious of such a nice tanto. Chris Bowen any good references for Enomoto Sadahito? Does he often work in the Gassan School? If it has been covered before I not sure as I can't find the search function on mobile version of the new NMB. Thanks for the help. Quote
cabowen Posted February 27, 2015 Report Posted February 27, 2015 Enomoto Sadahito was trained by his father, the former mukansa smith Enomoto Sadayoshi. Sadayoshi was a live in student of Gassan Sadakatsu and made many daisaku for Sadakatsu. Thus, yes, Sadahito works in the Gassan tradition, as well as the Soshu den. You can find more info about him in Tsuchiko san's excellent book, "The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths". If you have any questions about him or his work, let me know. I know him very well - he and his wife were actually the legal witnesses for my marriage .... Quote
Soshin Posted February 27, 2015 Report Posted February 27, 2015 On 2/27/2015 at 2:28 PM, cabowen said: Thus, yes, Sadahito works in the Gassan tradition, as well as the Soshu den. You can find more info about him in Tsuchiko san's excellent book, "The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths". If you have any questions about him or his work, let me know. I know him very well - he and his wife were actually the legal witnesses for my marriage .... Hi Chris, Thanks for the information it is very helpful. I have read that book you referenced. I later sold it when I was thinking I would never own something as nice as a Shinsakuto so now I can't go back and reference book about the swordsmith. I will see if I can find a used copy of that book on Grey's website at a reasonable price as I think is still in print. Cool personal story about the swordsmith. Thanks for sharing. Quote
Ray Singer Posted February 27, 2015 Report Posted February 27, 2015 Congratulations Grant. I have owned several swords from the Enomoto family: a Sadahito contest sword, a long Sadayoshi and a third katana which was a gassaku by both smiths. That tanto is as nice as anything I have seen from this very talented family. I love the more naturalistic take on ayasugi-hada vs. what we often see that can look artificial and forced. Definitely the smith I would reach out to if I were to arrange a commission in the future. Regards, Ray Quote
brannow Posted March 12, 2015 Report Posted March 12, 2015 Very nice swords Grant and Art! I love his work! Quote
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