KungFooey Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 Hi everyone, I'd be real grateful if anyone could tell me anything about the lineage of a modern day swordsmith in Saitama called Ikkansai Kazuyuki (一貫斉和之). He doesn't seem particularly notable but this is what I've been able to establish so far: his real name is Arai Kazuyuki (新井和之) and he is the son of swordsmith Arai Ikkansai Masayoshi. I've only found two or three blades dated between Heisei 6 and Heisei 21. Any additional details would be very welcome! The reason for asking is I just treated myself to a beautiful little tanto made by this smith and would like to find out more about him. 😊 Many thanks in advance!! Dee 2 2 Quote
KungFooey Posted January 13 Author Report Posted January 13 14 minutes ago, Stephen said: Show blade please, hada? Hamon? Your wish is my command! 5 1 Quote
KungFooey Posted January 13 Author Report Posted January 13 2 hours ago, Stephen said: Oh me likey, good on you love. Thanks Stephen! 😊 1 Quote
KungFooey Posted January 13 Author Report Posted January 13 IKKANSAI - DOH!!!!! I can't sleep and so I've been doing some research and suddenly the name Ikkansai dropped into place. 🙄 Miyairi Ikkansai Shigetoshi ⬇️ Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu ⬇️ Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa ⬇️ Arai Ikkansai Masayoshi ⬇️ Arai Ikkansai Kazuyuki I'm so dumb sometimes! Dee 4 Quote
Stephen Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 You have helped support the art as We Know that they can only make so many swords, so they make knives and razors to support their income. Hence the ad for the razor. 1 Quote
Michaelr Posted January 13 Report Posted January 13 Can’t give you any information on the smith but love the blade. Thank you for sharing MikeR 2 Quote
KungFooey Posted January 14 Author Report Posted January 14 On 1/13/2025 at 7:40 PM, Stephen said: You have helped support the art as We Know that they can only make so many swords, so they make knives and razors to support their income. Hence the ad for the razor. That's a nice way to look at it Stephen - thank you again! You're absolutely right though; I found another swordsmith of the same Ikkansai group who also has to make little tamahagane knives to make ends meet. Swordsmith・TAKEHANA IKKANSAI Shigehisa Tamahagane Kanmuriotoshi Unokubi-zukuri 180㎜ | Japanese Cutlery Pro Store 2 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 Modern up-and-coming smiths (and most sword-related artisans) cannot make a living solely from sales of their traditional craft. There is no such moneyed market in Japan these days. Many are forced to seek side jobs just to feed themselves. It’s a thankless task to carry on this tradition, but some brave few feel compelled to somehow keep it going. The Mayor of Setouchi City (where Osafuné is located) just returned from a sales trip to Paris for example, looking for rich clients to support swordsmiths in the Bizen area. (Lovely blade by the way!) 2 1 Quote
Lewis B Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 Unfortunately true, and its not a trend that started recently. I know of several that switched to kitchen knife manufacture after an early career making swords. Some still make them well into their late '70's. I own several by Yoshiaki Fujiwara (nihonto name Kanekuni and a 3rd generation swordsmith), all forged and sharpened by the same guy. He is now semi retired at 80 but still producing at a slower pace. 2 Quote
Toryu2020 Posted January 14 Report Posted January 14 You could ask these guys... 全日本刀匠会 | All Japan Swordsmith Association 2 1 Quote
KungFooey Posted January 14 Author Report Posted January 14 31 minutes ago, Toryu2020 said: You could ask these guys... 全日本刀匠会 | All Japan Swordsmith Association Thank you so much Thomas! Quote
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