Giving a nihonto some use ?

[buchtas]

Talking about preservation/use of the blade and comapring to other tools, vintage cars etc.

If I am not mistaken, swords that are centuries old are usually altered, shortened, reshaped etc. And I dont see the nihonto community scoffing at those types of blades, why is that then? The same blades were used by generations descending from the original owner of the blade or someone that made the adjustments. And if someone wants to honor the craftsmanship of the blade and use it for Iai with the respect and experience of years that is part of the baldes history/future.

Same with antique firearms, they are collectible and worthy of preservation, but taking it out to the range and make it roar with fire and smoke once or twice a year does not hurt it, especially black powder guns. And the feeling of using such piece is just off the charts.

 

I also understand the preservation point, as someone who works at the museum as restorator/conservator. Getting to handle and work on pieces of art is fullfilling but occasionally swinging a sword i get my hands on, or just trying the antigue flintlock mechanism... it is tempting, on some pieces i wouldnt dare of course, but there are some that wont be harmed in anyway since I know from experience what i can do to not hurt the item.

[Matsunoki]

8 minutes ago, buchtas said:

or just trying the antigue flintlock mechanism... it is tempting,

It’s also asking for trouble. Dry firing is the easiest way  to snap springs and even snap the necks of the cocks. Why risk it?

[The Forest Ninja]

On 11/5/2024 at 5:39 PM, Franco D said:

The problem here is that sooner or later an "art" sword will be ruined by someone who lacks the knowledge and better judgment necessary not to proceed.

Saw a YouTube video where a person put a target on top of a post.

Took a swing and hit the post instead. I had to stop watching.

[KungFooey]

It seems that people here are classifying Nihonto as A: tools or B: art.

If you re-classify them as antique or modern that makes the answer to this topic a little clearer. No one would cut anything with an excavated Roman gladius, an Anglo-Saxon pattern-welded sword or even an Napoleonic cavalry sword. Why? Because they couldn't take it and should be valued simply for their antiquity. On the other hand, modern replicas of the above are used for reenactment or testing - sometimes using historically accurate steel.

 

Finally, if you have to regard them as purely artworks then at least broaden that thinking to other forms of art. If you bought a Picasso in the 1920s you would simply stick it on the wall in the sunlight as decoration - nowadays we (hopefully) know better.

 

Just sayin'

 

 

[Honya]

On 2/8/2025 at 10:36 AM, KungFooey said:

Jacques is absolutely correct.

I recently bought a Shinto blade which had papered Hozon only last year. It has a fatal flaw and the hamon runs out of the kissaki.

I'll only consider Tokuho if I ever get another sword.

Good to know, thank you. I knew it was allowed with koto swords (even in Tokuho papers) if the sword is important or good enough in other way, but with shinto I thought there should be no fatal flaws.