"tadahiro" wak

[markc]

dear members,

i was given this wak many years ago which started my interest in ninhonto. i had this sword looked at again many years ago(can't remember who) and the consensus was that the mei is gimei which i agree. my question is what period does anybody think this comes from? after researching blade shapes etc i think this may come from Hizen province approximately tenmei era 1781-1789.

the blade specs are:

hada- mokume hada

temper- suguha

yasurime- sujikai

fuchi, kashire very old?

habaki- rain pattern

nakagojiri- iriyama-gata

negasa -21 9/16 in

sori - 13/16 in

mei - tadahiro (gimei)

given the extreme sori of this blade does it make it unusual or typical of many periods, i am uncertain. the blade itself has some damage, chips and a slight bend and possibly a reshaped kissaki.the edge itself is extremely sharp (twice as sharp as any other sword i have)

any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thank you

markc

[Jean]

Mark,

 

Paul Martin has written a little booklet "Nyusatsu Kantei" I encourage you to get it (12$+shipping - it is a steal considering the amount of information available in this small booklet)

 

Here is an extract :

 

9. Genroku Era (1688-1704)

In contrast with Kanbun era blades, wakizashi from this era have a magnificient deep sori, a wide mihaba, and a slightly extended chu-kissaki. They are 1 shaku 8 sun (54.5 cm) and over in length.

 

Could be ....

[markc]

thank you Jean, i have ordered a copy of this book and hopefully it will point me in the right direction

 

regards

markc

[doug e lewis]

Hi Mark,

 

i have learned more from that little book than 10 years of going to my sayashi friend's house when invited to look at some of the quality swords he gets every so often.

 

 

as a curiosity, could you post pics of the tsuba, tsuka ito, & menuki?

 

doug e

[markc]

Hi Doug,

the tsuba is not original to the sword, early pierced ww11 as the original was missing when i was given the sword, the menuki as does the fuchi and kashira have traces of gold and light blue enamel on them. The tsuka-ito appears to be standard type light brown silk. sorry for the quality of the photos, the camera is not the best. looking forward to getting the book.

regards

markc

[doug e lewis]

thanks Mark,

yeah, they are pretty rough. still, they are yet a part of an amazing tradition. if only gunto furniture, they have a story to tell.

 

doug e