The works of Gassan Sadakazu

[Bryce]

Here are another couple of examples of Sadakatsu boshi. The top one is a Bizen den blade dated Taisho 10 and the bottom is a Soshu den blade dated Showa 13.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

Here are some shots of a Gassan Sadakazu tanto dated 1867, which is very similar to the 1863 dated Sadayoshi tanto I posted earlier. It has very similar masame hada with the grain completely folded around on itself in the boshi, just like in the Sadayoshi signed example.

 

Does anyone know the term for this? 

 

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Bryce]

I have since discovered another three tanto and a katana dated 1865 - 1870 where Sadakazu used this technique.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

Here are some shots of the Gassan Sadayoshi yoroi-doshi tanto dated 1863. I believe the blade was made and signed by Sadakazu for his master.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

One of the reasons why I am fascinated with the Gassan smiths, is that they are the complete package. Not only are they excellent swordsmiths, but they also carve beautiful horimono, make their own habaki and from time to time make their own tsuba. AOIJapan recently had a magnificent example of this by Gassan Sadakazu. The sturdy blade which is forged in masame, is dated 1866 and has beautiful Fudo Myo horimono. The original koshirae includes a tsuba signed by Sadakazu. A similar tsuba is shown in the "Gassan Sadaichi Kaiko Ten" book.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Bryce]

I find the stamps he used on the tsuba interesting. It suggests that he may have sometimes used different stamps to the few that I have seen marking his blades.

Below is a shot of the koshirae that was with the sword. Tsuruta San of AOIJapan thinks that Sadakazu may have made all of the metal work for the koshirae. The fact that he isn't absolutely sure suggests that only the tsuba must be signed.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Bryce]

Here are some more of the beautiful photos that AOIJapan posted of the kissaki of that blade.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[davel]

Btw the original pdf moved to here https://www.metmuseu...eum-journal-v-5-1972

[Bryce]

Thanks Dave,

Just a quick note that I disagree with a couple of points raised in the article. The tanto in figure 9 that the author says is gimei is actually shoshin. The NBTHK paper these to Sadakazu. I have no explanation for why these mei look so different, but Sadakazu did use a number of different stamps throughout his career and the work in these blades does look like Sadakazu's. Also while I agree the katana blade in figures 12-15 was probably made by Sadakatsu, it was also signed by Sadakatsu for his father, rather than being signed by Sadakazu. 

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[JagnewIE]

Hi All! First post :p. You have such a wealth of information here, excited to explore more when I’m rested!

 

Purchased a tanto with hako by a Gassan sadakatsu on my trip to Japan last fall.  Thought I would share, I’ve tried to have a few friends help me with translation and they aren’t quite advanced enough to figure out the ink on the box and especially the note that is included.  Any help for this newbie would be greatly appreciated.

 

I was told sadakatsu made commemorative blades for the emperor to give to dignitaries during WW2.  I was also told he was the 12th generation swordsmith in his line and was the most famous of the Gassan. It appears the koshirai had been modified at some point to accept this blade, is it likely that the koshirai is a fake?

 

 

 

 

[Bryce]

G'day Jag,

You have a tanto made by Gassan Sadakatsu using steel smelted by the Japan Iron Sand Steel Industry Company. More information is available on this thread:

 

 

Gassan Sadakatsu is the son of Gassan Sadakazu. Sadakazu is arguably the most famous of the revived Gassan line of smiths. The Gassan smiths are still forging blades to this day.

Your tanto would have been forged around 1940. I am not an expert on the koshirae, but I would think it is authentic.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[David Flynn]

Also, Sadakatsu is third Gen, in the modern Gassan Tradition.  Sadayoshi, Sadakazu, then Sadakatsu.

[Edward Mahle]

  On 10/1/2022 at 3:22 AM, Bryce said:

G'day Guys,

I think I found a picture of the Juyo katana. I believe this is also a daimei by Sadakatsu.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

Expand  

So many stunning swords in this thread. 
 

This one is all together a style I haven’t had the privilege of viewing yet.. 

 

What a stunning creation. 
 

Cheers Edward 

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

Here are some better photos of the 1866 dated blade from above. The horimono are very small, but still incredibly detailed.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[David Flynn]

I saw this sword in person, at the NBTHK Museum, while it was on the new Juyo display.

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

Just to be clear, David is referring to the Juyo, Sadamune Utsushi that Edward reposted, not my 1866 dated, tokubetsu hozon papered blade that I posted the closeup photos of.

Cheers,

Bryce