Curious About A Tanto

[Grey Doffin]

Hi guys,

Please have a look at this tsnto by Yoshindo:

http://www.e-sword.jp/tantou/1610-3051.htm

Scroll to the bottom to see pictures of the nakago that appears to be split from ha to mune.  I'm unable to read the text; does it explain this and if not does anyone know why the piece was made this way?

Thanks,  Grey

[Gunome]

Hello Grey,

I assume you refere to the dark line in the nakago mune.

For me it just a shadow of the spot when photo has been taken.

 

Regards

 

Sébastien

[Greg F]

Hi Grey it is hard to see properly in the pics but i think Sebastien is correct. All the best.

 

Greg

[seattle1]

Hello:

 Grey's visual inference appears correct to me. Why else would that curious angle be shown multiple times?

 Arnold F.

[Ray Singer]

Certainly looks to my eyes like a channel has been cut into the nakago mune. Not something I have seen before. Creativity on the part of the swordsmith?

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Brian]

Not sure it is just the nakago mune. I think the whole nakago is split?
Maybe springiness for a better fit? Await the answer eagerly... :-)

[Ray Singer]

There is no separation visible within the mekugi-ana. The inside lowest point of the channel also appears to be visible. It seems this may have been an aesthetic choice? Likewise, look forwarding to hearing if anyone else has ideas or has seen this feature before. 

 

  On 12/16/2016 at 3:04 PM, Brian said:

Not sure it is just the nakago mune. I think the whole nakago is split?
Maybe springiness for a better fit? Await the answer eagerly... :-)

 

[Ted Tenold]

The nakago is not split. It's just an illusion due to the nakago mune and ha have slight roundness rather than being flat, so the lighting is reflecting that roundness where the radius bounces the light directly into the lens.

[Kronos]

Edit: On second look there's certainly inward curvature there but the lighting makes it hard to determine how much. It's not split but there is a shallow groove/hi.

[ggil]

A nice touch/effect, whether concave or convex, it does add a singular complexity to the blade. Maybe the smith is getting tired of his blades being faked, and thought this a good way to add to their mei. Seems like the effect would have a somewhat detrimental effect in that it removes metal from a critical force bearing section, and may also tend to wear the honoki inner Tsuka Surface slightly faster. But it is a tanto not a longer sword so my ramblings may be yet again, just More BS.. could be that there was an unsightly Fukure there and steps were taken to remedy that issue???

[SAS]

Lighting artifact for me.

[Brian]

Ted, would it show that effect from so many different angles? I'm guessing that will turn out to be the reason, just hard to convince the eyes of that

[Ray Singer]

I am fairly sure you can see some accumulated "something" in the hi. Wood fragments, particles of some kind, etc. Would seem to preclude this being an illusion of the camera. I'll shoot an email to the seller to see if they can confirm either way.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Surfson]

I think Grey is right.  It looks like some sort of groove in the nakago mine to me.  Since they show three distinct angles, and since the edges of the groove have a defined thickness, I don't think it's a reflection.  Cheers, Surf

[Jean]

Have a look at the pictures:

 

http://www.seiyudo.com/ta-041215.htm

[Stephen]

The mind is a wonderful thing, we see what we dont see.

[Geraint]

Not convinced about the groove but I love the hada!

 

All the best.