Iwaizashi ? is it a real term ?

[buchtas]

Hi everyone,

while browsing for swords, as one does, I stumbled across this piece that has in its description celebratory tanto from Muromachi period called "iwaizashi" 

I would like to ask studied people from this forum that would be able to explain if there is any truth to the statement ?

The description states that presented tanto was made as a gift for celebratory occasions and is engraved with chiyotsuru inscription. I will add the full description with pictures below

 

 This tanto is a celebratory dagger made in the Muromachi period and called "iwaizashi," and is a rare piece that is rarely found on the market. It was made as a gift for celebratory occasions and was very auspicious, and this piece is engraved with a chiyotsuru inscription. Chiyotsuru is a school of swordsmiths that flourished from the Nanbokucho period to the Muromachi period (1336-1573), also known as the Echizen Rai school, because it was founded by Chiyotsuru Kuniyasu, a member of the Rai Kuniyasu school, who migrated to the Echizen region. Since the crane (tsuru) has been a symbol of good fortune in Japan since ancient times, it is believed that they asked Chiyotsuru, which means crane that lives a thousand years, to create a celebratory dagger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As in any other collecting field buy the thing not the story, and I really like tha blade itself but if the story proves somewhat true it would be a strong contender for my next purchase.

So I share it with all of you good people here, the people more studied than my self.

 

Have a great day everyone.

[Matsunoki]

Just an opinion but the story sounds a load of hyped up rubbish. I’m not qualified to comment on the validity of the Mei but to me it looks like a tired blade (no hamachi). I think they are trying to make it sound something very special when it is possibly simply a boys day sword  (iwazashi?). 
Of course I could be wrong, but if it was my money I’d pass.

[buchtas]

that is exactly how I feel about it, as I sated i go by "buy the item not the story" i just like how the blade looks

[ROKUJURO]

Are there any measurements available? To me, it looks more like a WAKIZASHI on these photos, and it has a typical SUGATA of one. TANTO are not daggers (these have 2 more or less parallel cutting edges), and most of them are not made in SHINOGI-ZUKURI, but in HIRA-ZUKURI.

As Colin stated, it is probably and simply a boys day sword.

[buchtas]

Yes i will copy the measurements here:

Description states a Tanto.

• Blade length: 27.7 cm
• Curvature: 0.4 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 1
• Motohaba: 24.2 mm
• Motokasane: 5.1 mm

As I stated above, "i buy the item not the story" I was very skeptical of this fact from the start, that´s why i asked here.

On the other hand what would boys da sword mean ?

[Bugyotsuji]

On this site they mention an "O-iwai Zashi" said to have been made by Iga no Kami Kinmichi.

－　延寿而抱福（お祝い差）伝日本鍛冶宗匠 伊賀守藤原金道（五代） Den Iganokami Kinmichi　－　日本刀の通信販売　明倫産業株式会社 (nipponto.co.jp)

 

I find myself wondering if the term can be applied to any blade that is worn for the genpuku ceremony. 'A blade for the celebration.' Or does it mean a blade that is created specifically for such a ceremony?

Even so, a quick search of the J internet does not pull up much information about that specific expression. I am willing to learn!

[ROKUJURO]

Martin,

thank you! It has indeed the length of TANTO but is does not look like one.

[Matsunoki]

18 hours ago, buchtas said:

On the other hand what would boys da sword mean ?

Martin, Google “Japanese boys day” or “Japanese children’s day” and “Genpuku ceremony”

This will give you a good understanding of both the annual boys (children’s) day celebrations and also the boys “coming of age” ceremonies.

Basically a sword of greatly scaled down proportions ie fit for a child was often gifted on boys coming of age and also often displayed on the annual children’s day. These ceremonies go way back into distant Japanese see history.

Such swords are usually of very modest quality and often carry dubious Mei of famous smiths. Having said that, some can be quite fancy reflecting the wealth of the family. 
Hope this helps.

Best.Colin.