Tachi signed Uchigatana mei

[Jacques D.]

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what a sunnobi tanto is. A sunnobi tanto is not a tanto slightly longer than 30 cm, but longer than the average length of tanto over a certain period. 

[Ooitame]

Per my understanding, a uchigatana was a mid to short Wakizashi. Explictly made to be used one handed for a secondary sword (if using two in battle), but to be the first sword to draw and strike or block. Unless you are Mushashi, using both at normal size made for two handed welding is very hard to do. I have practiced this style (Nitō Ichi) with boken so much respect to those who can.

[Franco D]

7 hours ago, Jacques D. said:

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what a sunnobi tanto is. A sunnobi tanto is not a tanto slightly longer than 30 cm, but longer than the average length of tanto over a certain period. 

 

Beginning on page 3 of this search there are a number of conversations relevant to the current discussion ... https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/search/?&q=sunnobi&page=1&quick=1&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

 

Plus, more conversations about uchigatana here ... https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/search/?&q=uchigatana&page=1&quick=1&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

 

Keeping memories of passed friends alive.

 

Regards,

[Ed]

I recently saw the Kuniyoshi known as the "Nakigitsune" or Howling/crying fox. The BMFA shows a nagasa of 21.25", clearly wakizashi length.

Yet, the card at the Tokyo National Museum calls it a katana, though here katana may be used generically for sword. Additionally the Boston catalog refers to it as "Crying" fox. TNM labels it as "Howling" Fox.

 

It is this type of a lack of continuity which adds to confusion. 

 

 

 

[Ooitame]

4 hours ago, Ed said:

It is this type of a lack of continuity which adds to confusion

Agree, have noticed this throughout Nihinto.

[Bugyotsuji]

Although most sources quote each other, saying the reason for the 鳴狐 name for this blade is unknown, we can still dream.

 

Dreaming..........

 

There is an old saying in Japanese describing trolls and doers of mischief, i.e. those who get joy out of causing panic among the people, by setting so-called 'fox fires', 篝火狐鳴　"Kouka Komei", (reading these same two characters 鳴狐 'nakigitsune' here with their On reading of 'komei'). Well, we know that foxes (and badgers) were traditionally known as tricksters and shape-shifters in Japan.

 

Reading the background of this blade, it seems that back then and even today experts cannot decide in which category to place it. Could it be that the original smith wittingly or unwittingly created a blade that could not be categorized,  a shape-shifter, a crying fox? Foxes were seen as messengers of the gods. And did those who glimpsed its spirit call it a message from the foxes, a 'nakigitsune', i.e. a message from the gods?

 

PS The verb 'naku' 鳴く means an animal utterance, whether bark, howl, yelp, cry, tweet or croak, etc. 

(The verb 'naku' 泣くon the other hand, is cry with tears, like a baby; this latter meaning is not intended in the kanji used for the Nakigitsune blade.)

Edited December 29, 2023 by Bugyotsuji

[Gakusee]

21 hours ago, Ed said:

I recently saw the Kuniyoshi known as the "Nakigitsune" or Howling/crying fox. The BMFA shows a nagasa of 21.25", clearly wakizashi length.

Yet, the card at the Tokyo National Museum calls it a katana, though here katana may be used generically for sword. Additionally the Boston catalog refers to it as "Crying" fox. TNM labels it as "Howling" Fox.

 

It is this type of a lack of continuity which adds to confusion. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Crying Fox Awataguchi Kuniyoshi uchigatana (epitome of that term) is a beautiful sword. I would say, even mesmerising.  Note that it is much earlier than the typical 50-65cm single-use Muromachi swords. 

[Ed]

4 hours ago, Gakusee said:

The Crying Fox Awataguchi Kuniyoshi uchigatana (epitome of that term) is a beautiful sword. I would say, even mesmerising.  Note that it is much earlier than the typical 50-65cm single-use Muromachi swords. 

 

Yes, Kamakura era as stated in my post. An early "uchigatana" prior to their reemergence in the Muromachi period.

[Ooitame]

Just a guess as to the name, suppose mounted as tachi, long koshirae, opponent expects a long draw. Opps timing is off as it is short giving the handler an advantage. Sneaky like a fox. The howling or crying might be due to the shape/bohi and makes a sound on a hard swing, or leaves the opponent howling/crying?

 

@Ed, congratulations on seeing this in person it is a very lovely sword... I am jealous.

[Jussi Ekholm]

I think one problem is that people are possibly talking about different things. I have the Tokyo National Museum book - Uchigatana Koshirae, which is amazing resource in this particular field. However it is important to choose if you are talking about Kamakura or Nanbokuchō or Muromachi period uchigatana. And there are variances even within the periods.

 

Now for the later Muromachi period I personally see 3 different variations of long sword being utilized. I am leaving shorter swords and my loved big swords out of this.

1. 50 - 65 cm blade length - very common to see

2. 65 - 75 cm blade length - extremely common size

3. 75 - 85 cm blade length - quite rare to find especially 80+ cm in original length

 

The TNM book has examples that are among the best remaining in Japan many which were owned by reknown historical persons, and even though many of them have extremely remarkable older blades within the koshirae, you can find historical koshirae examples of all 3 of the above categories in the book.

 

And I have to agree with Michael about the mesmerising effect of the sword, the quality of it is stunning. Now I am not the person usually looking for extreme high quality as I prefer obscure stuff of huge size but seeing that sword at Tokyo National Museum definately left a mark.