Kronos Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 I'm currently looking for examples of early ubu, Shinogi-zukuri wakizashi (30-50cm we'll say) from Joji-Oei, preferably before Oei as they're quite common with Bizen Morimitsu/yasumitsu etc. The reason i ask is I'm sure I've seen at least one or two dated before Oei but can't for the life of me find them now. We're talking the very first Wakizashi that would later find prominence in the Muromachi. Thanks in advance for any you can find Here's an example of what i mean: http://www.nihonto.us/HO%20NORIMITSU%20WAKIZASHI.htm Quote
Jean Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 Technically, wakizashi were "born" in Muromachi, before it was ko dachi. Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted July 12, 2015 Report Posted July 12, 2015 I did a quick search on some of my books and failed to find any pre-Oei. I found 2 Nobukuni wakizashi, one shinogi-zukuri and one shobu-zukuri dated Oei Yonnen 1397. All the dated Nanbokucho era wakizashi that I found were hira-zukuri. I can search more books later when I have more time. It's quite interesting subject. 1 Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted July 13, 2015 Report Posted July 13, 2015 Jean is correct. Before Oei, kodachi were what was worn. Ken Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted July 13, 2015 Report Posted July 13, 2015 But searching the few out of the norm blades is so fun. Found one, Shinogi-zukuri wakizashi by Soshu Masahiro, dated Meitoku Sannen (1392), Sano museum, Masamune book n.48. Quote
Guido Posted July 13, 2015 Report Posted July 13, 2015 On 7/13/2015 at 10:11 AM, Jussi Ekholm said: Found one, Shinogi-zukuri wakizashi by Soshu Masahiro, dated Meitoku Sannen (1392), Sano museum, Masamune book n.48. Good digging! Quote
Kronos Posted July 13, 2015 Author Report Posted July 13, 2015 Yes, finding them before Oei is a problem, especially seeing as I have a Katana mei Wakizashi with 42cm nagasa dated Eiwa 3 (1377). It's one of many things that confuse me about this sword so I thought I'd try to find something similar. It's signed by a really obscure smith so it makes literally no sense for it to be gimei and yet if not gimei it's of somewhat historical importance being perhaps the earliest known wakizashi which I find just as hard to believe.15 years isn't a long time in the grand scheme of things but it can also be an age... Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted July 14, 2015 Report Posted July 14, 2015 James, do you have pictures of your sword? Quote
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