Cat-scratch Habaki

[Spartancrest]

I don't know if this has been shown before - Taken from "Shonai Kinko Meisaku Shu by Dr, Sato 1966"  on page 139. One of the most elaborate Habaki I have ever seen.

[Bruce Pennington]

Wow! Wish that was in color.

[Spartancrest]

10 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Wow! Wish that was in color.

Sorry the book is mostly B&W 

[Spartancrest]

Some habaki designs found in "Chosen-Gafu"

      

 

   I am not entirely sure of these last two, interested to know what you think? [What else could they be designs for?]

[Bruce Pennington]

What does the text say around them?

[Spartancrest]

Like Suraka  [in the manner of Suraka?] Google image translate - can't trust it! 

[Bugyotsuji]

ス々キ Susuki is the grass name, in short form with repeated /su/ sounds, onomatopoeic?

and the flowers are Ominaeshi. Yellow Patrinia

女郎花(オミナエシ)の花言葉と育て方｜花の色や見頃の季節は？ - HORTI 〜ホルティ〜 by GreenSnap

 

And at the top in the middle of Dale's last two shots, that character might be 鎺 Habaki(?)

[Isshu]

Hi Guys,

Thought I would share an interesting habaki that is on my latest katana purchase. I haven't seen one like this before so if anyone has any thoughts on it, it would be great to hear about it.

 

 

 

Regards,

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

8 hours ago, Isshu said:

I haven't seen one like this before

I haven't either!  Quite unique and nicely done.

[Bruce Pennington]

Oda Clan mon, according the seller at This Auction.  Menugi has the same mon.

[Toryu2020]

Not sure if this was posted previously...

 

鎺（ハバキ）写真／ホームメイト (touken-world.jp)

[Bruce Pennington]

Wow, Thomas!  What a page of habaki!!!  We could practically shut this thread down and just send people there from now on, Ha!

 

My favorite on the page:

[kissakai]

What a wonderful link

I liked the diamond pattern

 

[Bruce Pennington]

This one?

[Steves87]

I found these two in George Trotter's book "Japanese swords and fittings in the Western Australian Museum" while looking through it during the week. Its a pretty interesting Habaki, George did a good job on the book too. The museum may have to lift their fittings (Tsuba) game though.

[kissakai]

Bruce

That is the one I liked

 

[Bruce Pennington]

12 hours ago, Steves87 said:

I found these two in George Trotter's book

Those are quite nice, thanks Stephen!

[Bruce Pennington]

Not near as spectacular as those, but something nice.  On a 1600s Kuniyuki:

 

[Spartancrest]

Habaki with gold lettering.   https://www.jauce.com/auction/h1133117920

[Bruce Pennington]

Another Mt Fuji, possibly viewed over a stone wall.  Posted for sale on a Boy's Day sword by @Ray Singer HERE.

[Bruce Pennington]

A great mon on a Navy kyugunto, seller says blade signed by "Yasutomo", can't confirm as they failed to post nakago.  Found at this Online Auction

[PNSSHOGUN]

What an intriguing sword, pity about the Kissaki.

[Okan]

How about a built in habaki?

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

30 minutes ago, Okan said:

built in habaki

No way!  Is this a, well I can’t really say “common“ practice, but have you heard of this before?

[Bruce Pennington]

Since we’re on unusual habaki, I’ll add @John C’s wooden one he made for his shirasaya he shared HERE:

 

[Okan]

39 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

No way!  Is this a, well I can’t really say “common“ practice, but have you heard of this before?

 

No..never..

 

You'll find more info on the blade here:

 

https://markussesko.com/2019/12/31/kajihei-鍛冶平/

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Technically this would be a Ricasso, as found on dress swords.

[Bruce Pennington]

10 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Ricasso

Oh, I think you nailed it, John.  Here is the blade.  You can see it was made for a Type 8/19.  I don't think that nakago shape would have been a kyugunto.

 

[Okan]

One more for the record:

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Wow, Okan, are those actual inserts holding the sides together, or are they painted on or inlay?