The correct weight for Japanese Swords?

[legaiaflame]

First off, I'd like to say hello to everyone on the forum.

 

The question that I have is what would you consider the minimum and maximum weight for each of the following sword types: Tachi, Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto?

 

The reason I'm asking this particular question for, is because I cannot seem to find the any good information on the subject.

[Brian]

Hi Justin (please sign all posts with a name as per the rules, thanks)

 

I think the reason you haven't been able to find such info online is that there is no such thing as maximum or minimum weights. These are personal items made for personal tastes, and no doubt whatever weight you wanted, someone would make it for you.

It's like asking what is the minimum and maximum weight for a kitchen knife...there isn't one.

 

Regards,

Brian

[Bugyotsuji]

legaiaflame.

 

Is the real reason that you are asking... that you have come across a supposedly Japanese sword which feels somehow too light (or too heavy)?

[Ford Hallam]

There is a way to get an idea of the weight of these blades.

 

Most sites on-line give the length, and width and thickness's at each end of the blade in question. While this won't actually give you a weight as such, ( unless you get involved in some complicated volume/mass calculations :? ) at least you could begin to visualise the sorts of dimensions that are common for each type of blade and period. You may begin to form an idea of average sizes. It could be regarded as pert of the assessment of sugata in general.

 

I suspect this is the sort of unconscious mental assessment most of the more experienced collectors run through.

 

regards, Ford

[legaiaflame]

Thank you all for your help on the topic, and maybe I should have asked, "What is the average weight for a particular sword?" Instead of the minimum and maximum weight for a sword.

 

Best Regards,

 

Justin P.

[Bugyotsuji]

If you run searches on Google under such headings as 日本刀　平å‡é‡é‡

you get pages like:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls= ... tnG=Search

 

One site says that a sword blade of 2 shaku 4 sun should not weigh much over 700 gm. The reason the writer gives is that heavier blades were often thought to be blunt, stemming from the fact that in many cases they were untempered. The tempering process reduces the weight?

 

NB The above is not my opinion, but just something I read during a search to answer your question.

[Jean]

Makes me think of a French joke :

 

Question : "What is the right length for legs"

 

Answer : "no matter as long as feet are flat on the ground"

 

It is the same, it will depend on individuals, arm length/strength .. ===> different nagasa===> different weight.

 

The ideal weight depends on each individual. Yours shall not be mine ....

[Guest reinhard]

Makes me think of a French joke :

Question : "What is the right length for legs"

Answer : "no matter as long as feet are flat on the ground"

 

Jean's joke hit the nail on its head. Swords in general are about balance and proportions. Weight doesn't really matter.

 

reinhard

[bluboxer]

The tempering process reduces the weight?

Negative over.

 

Alan

[Bugyotsuji]

The tempering process reduces the weight?

Negative over.

 

Alan

Thanks for that! Take everything with a pinch of salt, then. Over.