Tachi mei

[cisco-san]

Hi all,

 

sorry for this stupid question but what is the reason that some Katanas have a Tachi mei. Of course if it was a Tachi and has been shortened, Tachi mei makes sense. But there a lot of other swords - even Gendaito´s - with tachi mei?!

 

Many thanks

[Jamie]

I am not sure but I'd think Gendaito's would be signed tachi mei as they were worn cutting edge down, same as tachi were.

[machinist]

I have heard that some smiths just did it that way, part of their tradition.

[cisco-san]

I am not sure but I'd think Gendaito's would be signed tachi mei as they were worn cutting edge down, same as tachi were.

Even if they have Katana lenght ?

[Tsugio Kawakami]

Size is not necessarily the thing that differentiates between a katana and a tachi. How it is intended to be worn does, and, as far as I know, the mei always goes on the omote (with some stylistic exceptions).

 

For blades made for gunto koshirae, I think signing them tachi-mei makes sense, since they are intended to be worn like tachi.

[cisco-san]

For blades made for gunto koshirae, I think signing them tachi-mei makes sense, since they are intended to be worn like tachi.

Many thanks.

Sorry I did not know that they worn it also with the cutting edge downwards during this time.