Shōsō-in Tachi and shortsword

[nulldevice]

While in Nara today, we visited the Nara National Musuem where they are doing their Shōsō-in (Nara Treasure Vault) exhibit. 
 

They had 2 swords on display, a “tachi” and a “sword blade”. Unfortunately photos were expressly forbidden for these 2 swords and they were being vigilant about that rule on these and other exhibits. I wasn’t able to get pictures.

 

The “sword blade” shown was on display for the first time ever since it went into the vault in the 9th century. I can’t find any pictures about either of these swords on any of the Shoso-in pages. I’ll try to paint a picture the best I can with my newbie skills. 
 

Both the tachi and the sword blade were straight swords and were incredibly thick with super low shinogi or yokote. They had a flat back (kaku-mune) and were nearly 1cm thick. 
 

The lighting wasn’t good on the short sword blade but they both seems to have a mokume-hada type pattern and a chu-suguha hamon. The “kissaki” portion had a rounded fukura type shape but no yokote.

 

I thought I could see some Utsuri on the tachi but the lighting was kind of dim and all of the Japanese people at the museum (our small group of 3 were the only non-Japanese there) were all looking at me funky crouching down low trying to get the right angle to see if utsuri was present! 
 

The last major thing I noticed was that the nakago on both blades had a hamachi and munemachi that were nearly 1cm. The mihaba on both blades was ~4cm+ by my estimations through the glass. The taper was also very minor and both blades were still ~3cm at the end at the sakihaba.

 

I was able to get pictures of some wonderful Buddhist carvings and statues as well as some other ancient artifacts where photos were allowed but the big items (glass and gold plate, emperors armrest, and a mirror box) were prohibited and I didn’t want to disrespect these amazing artifacts. 
 

if anyone is near the Nara area before the 11th, I’d highly recommend the museum to see some swords that may never see the light of day again in our lives. 

[Nobody]

正倉院展 – The 76^th Annual Exhibition of Shoso-in Treasures

Ref. The 76th Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures | 正倉院展

 

According to the exhibits list, the two swords of this year are 黒作大刀 (Kurozukuri no tachi) and 無荘刀 (Musoto).

Ref. 202410_shosoin_list0919-2.pdf

 

 

9. 黒作大刀　第13号 – Tachi with black-lacquered mounting, No. 13

Ref. |Tachi| sword with black-lacquered mounting, No. 13. - Shosoin

 

10. 無荘刀 – Sword without fittings

(There are 23 such swords in Shoso-in.)

[nulldevice]

Thanks @Nobody

 

That is indeed the tachi on display.

 

thanks to your link I found the “sword blade” that was shown to the public for the first time.

 

Sword blade 35