Understand your ( Juyo ) paper

[BIG]

Darcy feeded his blog, https://blog.yuhindo.com/always-was-and-still-is/#more-1084

 

Best

[Pete Klein]

This should be required reading.  

[Wim V]

Reading what the paper has to say is always interesting in my opinion.  Not only with high level mumei blades as Darcy describes, but also with signed blades.

 

In my experience the last sentence of the setsumei of a Juyo Zufu description is the most important one.  The setsumei will begin describing to what school the smith belongs, give the common features of his work, and then describe the features of the specific blade in question.  But I feel the last sentence will mostly explain why the NBTHK chose to award the sword Juyo status.  For example by saying it's a perfectly healthy and typical example of the smith's work.  Or for example by saying it's an important reference work because it is signed and dated (but maybe not so healthy …).

[PNSSHOGUN]

Obviously not everyone is fluent in Japanese, especially myself, but to have a Juyo Token sword and not know what the paper says precisely or not even have it fully & accurately translated baffles me.