NBTHK Katana versus Wakizashi Classification? (Kaga Fujishima Katana)

[Barrett Hiebert]

Forumites,

 

So I’ve done research on the forum and found that the Japanese Sword Index of the NBTHK classifies a wakizashi nagasa as being between 1 shaku at 30.3 cm to 2 shaku at 60.6 cm. So why then does the NBTHK certificate of this Kaga Fujishima Katana classify this blade of 60.2 cm nagasa as being a katana when the nagasa falls within the range of 1 shaku, 30.3 cm to 2 shaku, 60.6 cm that it should be labeled as a wakizashi?

 

The nihonto in question…

 

http://www.nihontocraft.com/Kaga_Fujishima_Koto_Katana.htm

 

Thank you for reading. I look forward to your replies.

 

Best regards,

 

Barrett Hiebert

[Yumso]

Here. I've once talked about this- to be short, 60cm ~ 60.5cm nagasa is somelike grayzone.
Technically it would be wakizashi but what it was called and seen before is more important when it comes for labeling. Length classification that we use right now was artificially fixed in Edo period, so I think that's why those grayzones exist.

Therefore I'd say that blade is a katana.

[CSM101]

This one here is a good example: Kasen Kanesada with 60,5 cm. And 2 shaku. The classification what is what came from Sato and Honma in the last century. E

[Nobody]

Actually the nagasa written on the NBTHK pater is 2-shaku 01-bu (二尺〇一分). So, the blade length is 60.9 cm, and it is naturally classified as a katana.

If the shop is saying that its nagasa is 60.2 cm, that might be their mistake.

[Mark]

or maybe the tip was damaged and repaired after the paper was issued

[Tohagi]

I think the simplest explanation (Moriyama san's) is the best.

I was about to say that the nakago is ubu but slightly maki Okuri. The nagasa was longer at the time... don't know if this is taken in count in NBTHK papers.

[ROKUJURO]

MACHI OKURI.

[Tohagi]

very sorry...

[The Forest Ninja]

I think even large Fries are bigger in North America.

[Barrett Hiebert]

Moriyama-san,

 

Thank you for the translation of the NBTHK paperwork. The correct 60.9 cm nagasa is an important distinction that undoubtedly labels it as a katana as per the NBTHK Japanese Sword Index.

 

As to all others thank you for your posts and examples.

 

Danny Massey lists the blades nakago conditon as being ubu though it may be MACHI OKURI. I will have to ask him about that though.

 

Thank you all again.

 

Best regards,

 

Barrett Hiebert

[sabiji]

We've been through this before: even if there is some machiokuri, the Nakago is still ubu!

[Barrett Hiebert]

Thomas (Sabiji),

 

Thank you for the correction. I checked with Danny Massey. He confirms…

 

Quote

This blade is ubu.  The nioi-guchi starts right above the ha-machi.