First Nihonto, for viewing

[Schneeds]

After spending the better part of the last year learning and studying, (and getting a ton of help, advice and insight from members here) I finally figured out what I wanted and acquired my first blade.  I had it narrowed down to two schools, with Naoe Shizu being the winner.  For my budget, this one stood out in particular for its Soe-hi (I think that's the term) and jigane.  It is certainly not flawless, but the polish is decent and what really drew me to it was the period, and sheer physicality of it. 

 

TH Naoe Shizu

Nagasa 70.3 cm

Motohaba 3.1 cm

Kasane 6.5-5.6 cm

Shinogi .87 cm

Weight  785g

 

Despite the typical 70.3 cm and slightly wide 3.1cm motohaba, it feels absolutely massive in hand; like I could split a vehicle in half.  That might be a poor thing to judge a blade on, but it sure feels good.  I don't have a macro lens so had to do the best I could with a wide angle.  Some day I will pick up a Sigma 105 and do this justice.  PS: that's not a hagire in the boshi; just struggled with even lighting and didn't notice until I took my setup down

 

 

Hopefully it is a worthy first acquisition!  

[Ray Singer]

1 hour ago, Schneeds said:

Naoe Shizu being the winner.  Not a particularly sought after school

 

I am not sure that I would agree, Naoe Shizu is a highly respected and desirable school with many juyo. An article from Darcy below.

 

https://web.archive....m/naoe-shizu-katana/

 

 

[Schneeds]

25 minutes ago, Ray Singer said:

 

I am not sure that I would agree, Naoe Shizu is a highly respected and desirable school with many juyo. An article from Darcy below.

 

https://web.archive....m/naoe-shizu-katana/

 

 

I have indeed read it I guess I just meant compared to some of the other big Soshu names it seemed like they fly under the radar, relatively speaking.

 

I thought the Naoe Shizu chapter in the Soshu Den Masterpieces book was excellent.

[Lewis B]

Lovely sword Erik. Just shows what a little time researching, learning and reading can lead to. I would agree that Naoe Shizu lives in the shadow of some pretty big beasts in the Soshu den. Its founder Kaneuji is considered one Masamune's best students, so the DNA is strong. But as Ray says many achieve Juyo and for good reason. Exceptional jihada, powerful sugata, and varied hataraki. To my eye it seems to be a good choice for a first nihonto purchase. Thanks for sharing. 

[Schneeds]

2 hours ago, Lewis B said:

Lovely sword Erik. Just shows what a little time researching, learning and reading can lead to. I would agree that Naoe Shizu lives in the shadow of some pretty big beasts in the Soshu den. Its founder Kaneuji is considered one Masamune's best students, so the DNA is strong. But as Ray says many achieve Juyo and for good reason. Exceptional jihada, powerful sugata, and varied hataraki. To my eye it seems to be a good choice for a first nihonto purchase. Thanks for sharing. 

Thank you, Lewis!  It's a fun school to research from beginning origins to the end.  I remember reading a post by Darcy explaining the multiple attributions the NBTHK uses for the Shizu line to someone, and the ways the lower 3 can leap frog;  I had to read it multiple times just to understand what he was saying!

[atm]

That’s awesome. 785g even with the futatsu ji-hi (dual grooves)! I can see why you think it feels powerful in your hands—because it is! It is a great sword, especially as your first. Congratulations.

[Schneeds]

12 hours ago, atm said:

That’s awesome. 785g even with the futatsu ji-hi (dual grooves)! I can see why you think it feels powerful in your hands—because it is! It is a great sword, especially as your first. Congratulations.

Thank you!  I wasn't sure if it is called futatsu ji-hi or soe-hi

[Bugyotsuji]

Futa-suji-bi

Soe-bi

(Tsurebi etc.)

 

(The 'h' of hi changes to 'b' in secondary position in compound words.

[Schneeds]

I just realized the font in Connoisseur's is so similar between h and b my brain never realized the change.  Thank you. 

[Franco D]

Congratulations. Looks like a sword worthy of consideration for a top polish at some point. 

 

 

Regards