Double Hamon Blade

[BenVK]

This unusual sword was auctioned on Yahoo a few weeks ago and I thought I'd post it here for reference before the photos disappear.

I've not encountered a blade with a tempered spine like this before and I'm wondering what was the purpose. In terms of function, would it not make the blade prone to failing? so maybe it's purely for aesthetic reasons?

It's not really my cup of tea but a lot other people obviously liked it judging by the number of bids.

 

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h450692716

[Ganko]

Pretty flashy, that is a lot of muneyaki, almost hitatsura. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

I have a sword with temper on the spine, very similar to the one you posted, I wonder if it's by the same smith? It's almost impossible to get photos of it, the Sashikomi polish is quite old and the tempering is quite faint. You can get a glimpse of it in these photos (not mine, I just spent 20 minutes trying to get a useable photo of it with no luck.....)

 

[paulb]

Ben

This looks to be an extreme example of muneyaki. Usually you see odd patches n the mune of some swords and some smiths are more prone to create it than others. It has been considered by some to be accidental and the result of the insulating clay falling of the mune. In this case it is obviously deliberate. I am guessng someone saw some advantage in hardenning the back eddge, whether that was to strengthen, adjust shape or just because they liked the look I have no idea.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Nijuba?

[paulb]

I've always understood Nijuba to relate to a double line of nioi or nie running parallel  in the hamon. I have not heard it to describe this form but then again I cant remember seeing this on another blade.

[EastCoast]

I have something similar. As soon as my new camera comes in I will try to capture it.

 

Best,

James

[Tom Darling]

There is a market for everything.  Peace.

 

 

Tom D.