Favorite modern day smiths?

[Oshy]

Living or not, curious what everyone's favorite smiths are from the 20th century. Feel free to share any examples 

 

I've never paid much attention to them until just recently. Minamoto Moriyoshi is going to be an obvious choice but ive also found Shibata Ka's story very interesting. The idea that he was so successful being self taught from studying of his own collection is just fascinating! 

https://yuhindo.com/shibata-ka/

[Bugyotsuji]

Imaizumi Toshimitsu produced some really beautiful swords and the story of how he revived the Bizen tradition after WWII is also interesting.

「今泉俊光」（いまいずみとしみつ 本名：済)

[Ken-Hawaii]

Besides Yoshino Yoshihara, I love the Bizen work from father & son Ando Hirokiyo & Ando Hiroyasu.

[16k]

We have had a thread like that not too long ago I think, so I’ll say again my favorites: Ono Yoshimitsu, Gassan Sadakazu and Yoshindo Yoshihara.

[Marius]

Kojima Hiroshi (4th Naohiro of the Taikei Naotane lineage, signs his swords Kei'un).

 

Kojima makes functional swords and only seldom tries to copy old works. He has his onw style, while keeping "the spirit" of old sword. His hada is usually tight, his blades have utsuri. Hamon ranges from flamboyant gunome to suguha. I have seen a sword by him quenched without clay - it looked like an Ichimonji. 

 

The site of his shop contains a wealth of information:

http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/

 

I own 5 swords by Naohiro and they are the only modern swords I have.

[piryohae3]

Marius do you have pictures of your swords by Naohiro? The ones on the website are unfortunately not very clear.

[Marius]

Not really, just a few, (they focus on steel and I have no pics of the sugata of my own):

 

My katana by Kojima:

 

 

 

 

My ken by Kojima:

 

[piryohae3]

I have a few: Gassan Sadatoshi, Kuniichi Takami, Kawachi Kunihira, Kawasaki Akihira, Yoshihara Yoshindo

[Tanto54]

Gassan Sadakatsu - true Master!

[Ray Singer]

During the war: Shibata Ka, Tsukamoto Okimasa, Kotani Yasunori, Kajiyama Yasunori

 

Post war: Teishin Nyudo Sadashige, Enomoto Sadayoshi, Matsuda Tsuguyasu, Enju Nobutsugu, Sumitani Masamine

[Alex A]

Il go with Enomoto Sadayoshi too

[Wim V]

+1:    Any member from the Enomoto family: father Sadayoshi or his sons Tatsuyoshi and Sadahito.  They consistently produce(d) very good quality work and somehow they seem a bit underrated, so you can often find their work for a decent price (in my opinion).

[ROKUJURO]

I like the swords from ASANO TARO  (smith name FUSATARO) Gifu prefecture Hashima-city 

[Oshy]

Example of an amazing Shibata-Ka that Ray has for sale:

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/305588459972011/permalink/780559032474949/

 

https://yuhindo.com/shibata-ka/?fbclid=IwAR2kQKmlp1sJf49Izjku_6cUDSTmooW6_4WelAG9sbC3CkkDHBjw_pKT09U

[Josh]

Funny you brought up Enomoto Sadayoshi, Alex and Wim, I saw that auction posting and was blown away by how good that sword looks. I almost posted it on here to make sure someone bought it!

 

And Jean, I keep telling myself that I need to get one of his knives - they look great. I spent a day with him at his kagiya last year, as I know many others here have, and had a great time.

[Alex A]

+1:    Any member from the Enomoto family: father Sadayoshi or his sons Tatsuyoshi and Sadahito.  They consistently produce(d) very good quality work and somehow they seem a bit underrated, so you can often find their work for a decent price (in my opinion).

 

Here's an example by Sadayoshi actually for sale at Aoi:

https://www.aoijapan.com/katanashowa-hinoe-tora-yusuishin-sadayoshi-sakumukansa/

I bought a tanto from Sadahito a few years ago, by way of Chris B. Sadahito did the sayagaki for his fathers tanto that he was selling, but to my surprise the tanto came with gift, he made a letter opener knife for me, fully signed. I might never have a sword made, but that was good enough for me, top dude. 

[Oshy]

Here is a beautiful example for sale, a collaboration between Sadayoshi and his son Sadahito in late 97 right before Sadayoshi passed.

 

https://www.tsuruginoya.com/items/a00520.html?fbclid=IwAR1PR37F2XoGdeI55FJsHhI08b48gbg2WAsKk9GJyVpcKqqQRDe-z3k3i2o

[Surfson]

I must say Gassan Sadakazu

[Jean]

Masamlne, I dig his tantos.

[Hoshi]

Shibata Ka! 

[Surfson]

That is a beauty, Mike, and the price is very reasonable.  I don't think that I have a hirazukuri katana come to think of it....

[Oshy]

Enomoto Sadayoshi

 

https://www.nihonto.com/rh536-2/

[SwordGuyJoe]

Most things Ikkansai are excellent.

 

For post war, No one has mentioned Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa and I’ve always enjoyed Ozawa Masatoshi’s work. +1 on Enomoto works, Moriyoshi, and it’s tough to beat Horii jigane.

[Curran]

Joe, -glad to see you again. Not that I am here very much, thanks to the whole Covid-19 FUBAR.

I second that vote for Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa. I have an O- kogatana by him.

[Brian]

I was waiting for someone to mention him

[Greg F]

Welcome back Joe.

 

Greg