Where to Begin?

[Robertex]

To start, please forgive my newbie question.

I wish to study the few blades I have in order to learn more about them and to become a more worthy contributor to this group. However, the blades in my possession are mumei, so where do I start in determining their origin?

I have Yasu Kizu's "Judging a Japanese Blade" and a few Hawley publications to tell me what I'm looking at, but nothing that I can link to a particular craftsman or school. Perhaps I'm missing the picture for the obvious.

[sanjuro]

I love the enthusiasm! :D

 

Great question Carl, and there are no simple answers. The skills and 'Eye' for making those determinations are not easily or quickly acquired. Most of us are still struggling with acquiring the skills to accurately ascribe school and smith to a given blade. Its the art and science of kantei you refer to, and that is a very special field. You basically need to have handled a great many good examples, and be familiar with their qualities and peculiarities in order to do what you have asked with any degree of accuracy. You also need to study books, lots of books on swords, history and some of the general principles of forging a Nihonto. Its a long but very rewarding pursuit of knowledge. Having said that however, do not be discouraged from making the attempt. Any failure produces knowledge as well as any success. It all depends on knowledge, practice, and often the guidance of someone who knows his 'stuff'.

Sword clubs and societies are always a good start, since then you will get to see in hand some variety of examples.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Carl,

The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords by Nagayama (in English) might be helpful. It goes through the different aspects of Nihonto: grain, hamon, sugata, etc., and tells which schools/smiths would be expected to produce blades with the particular types of these aspects.

See my book list on the 'For Sale' forum for a good price on a copy.

Shameless self promotion courtesy of Grey

[hybridfiat]

I am having similar difficulties, I have The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords and 2 other books reccomended by the group but just when I think Im getting close the book throws a googlie and says that this shape was also used later as well or something of the like and Im back to square one.

[Brian]

Don't feel bad guys..that's why they say after 10 years of studying this subject, you can finally be a beginner

Yeah..there are no shortcuts and also no convenient little boxes to put things in. If there were, we could have an online questionaire that would lead you to the exact smith. But it doesn't exist. Even things like the Gokaden were invented to try assist in classification. But like everything, there are no hard and fast rules, and plenty of exceptions.

Connoisseurs is an excellent guide, and the rest comes with years of experience and above all, looking at good swords in person. Just because you can't kantei a mumei blade in your first year of study (or even your 5th) doesn't mean you can't learn to appreciate good characteristics vs bad workmanship.

I think proper blade appreciation is even more important than kantei ability, and the one leads to the other anyways.

 

Brian

[nagamaki - Franco]

I'm not trying to be discouraging here, but one or two books doesn't cut it when it comes to learning kantei, nihonto. Otherwise everyone and their brother would be out grabbing good blades. It takes a combined effect of building a library, attending sword shows with educational forums, club study and kantei sessions (mentor, practice), and putting yourself to the test if you're serious (which means buying swords, polish, shinsa). Simply put, the study of nihonto is a discipline which requires an effort comparable to obtaining a 2 year college degree just to learn the basics. History courses, metallurgy courses, methodology courses, a study of blades from each time period/era/tradition/school, etc. That's where to begin.

[hybridfiat]

"I'm not trying to be discouraging here, but one or two books doesn't cut it when it comes to learning kantei, nihonto. Otherwise everyone and their brother would be out grabbing good blades. It takes a combined effect of building a library, attending sword shows with educational forums, club study and kantei sessions (mentor, practice), and putting yourself to the test if you're serious (which means buying swords, polish, shinsa). Simply put, the study of nihonto is a discipline which requires an effort comparable to obtaining a 2 year college degree just to learn the basics. History courses, metallurgy courses, methodology courses, a study of blades from each time period/era/tradition/school, etc. That's where to begin."

 

Well thats me stuffed then. Whats a sword show? Mentor? Clubs???? Im in WA so Ive no chance unless Im prepared to spend thousands on trips abroad. :?

[John A Stuart]

There are many places on the west coast that can help you, as well as shows and events, from Vancouver Can. to the clubs of California. I am unfamiliar with Washington state but there are kendo clubs in Bellevue, Mercer Is., Pullyalup, Seattle, Everett, Spokane etc, that could direct you further. A good one at WSU. John

[Stephen]

John

 

Think Steve means West Australia

[John A Stuart]

Krikey!!! WA, West Australia. Of course. John

[sanjuro]

Steve.

 

'Taint what you know its who you know here in the good 'ol West. Try Rich T. (Richard Turner) on this board. He lives a few streets over from me and knows just about everybody in WA who has anything to do with Nihonto. This isnt the backwater you think it is. George Trotter in Fremantle, Peter Sadler somewhere in the remote reaches of the Northern suburbs. Theres also a heap of guys in the Eastern states. (I know its a disgusting thought and people from the Eastern states are more than slightly strange, but some of them are nice guys and know their stuff).

 

The upside is we are closer to Japan than almost any other country represented on this board (except China) and travel is cheap. Even cheaper when we get parity of the dollar and the greenback. (in about a weeks time). :D

[cabowen]

It is a sad truth that books will only take you so far, and that isn't too far at all....As has been said, you need to see many many good swords, with someone who knows what they are doing helping you along. Unfortunately, there are very few people outside of Japan that are experienced enough to guide anyone, and there are not nearly enough good swords, or the access to them, compared to what is available in Japan. Thus, one must resign one's self to the fact that it is nearly impossible to become adept at kantei if one lives outside of Japan.

 

On the bright side, it is possible to learn the difference between good and bad. For most collectors, this is sufficient. Learning the difference between good and great is not so easy but possible as well.....

[nagamaki - Franco]

Despite the fact that Mr. Allan Pressley lived down in Pennsylvania, many hours away for himself, he started the rochester study group (rsg) in NY back in the 80's and 90's. Which basically met twice a year in conjunction with a local gun show (also a place to find swords). One of the meetings would be an annual kantei session, which followed (somewhat loosely) formal kantei rules with a follow up educational session for each sword, and one of the meetings was open for an assortment of possible educational presentations from any of the group members or invited guest speakers. The rsg had members from as far away as Canada, which for many generally meant an overnight stay. I was recruited into the group from the gun show while searching for an iai-to, where the club had a table set up for this sort of purpose. The point being, where there's a will to learn, there's a way. And of course one thing lead to another, like nihonto shows, building a library, shinsa, polishers, and so on, over the years to come.

[xxlotus8xx]

I am also a beginning beginner.

Blade comparison of what's out there should be helpful. There are plenty of documented blades (Era, smiths, provinces) on the Internet to compare your blade characteristics as well as validate your hunches. But beware. It's a slippery slope my friend.

Also the resources of the members of this board can prove very valuable. As long as you don't mind getting scolded once in a while..

[ehk]

I to am new to Nihonto and just started reading The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords a few weeks ago. Also ordered a few other books that were recommended here. I do not expect in any way to turn into a expert by reading these books but I do hope they can teach me (together with the help from this forum and perhaps shows) how I can appreciate Nihonto and learn as much as possible. I hope to at least acquire the basics by reading these books. How the rest will go I don't know but we will see how that goes while reading.

 

I have tons of questions and things I would like to research but I know for now I will just have to stick to the books. Don't want to hi-jack this topic sorry

[Robertex]

Many thanks as always with the world class (literally) assistance!

Just received my copy of "Connoisseur's" to study and add to the bookshelf. However, I am a realist and accept the fact that only so much can be gleaned from written material and photographs. Perhaps the best venue for the student is actual face time with various experienced collectors and their collections over many sessions.

When I was just starting out in the early nineties there was a "society" in Richmond Virginia (USA) that met frequently to display and discuss Nihonto. I attended the meetings and subscribed to the local newsletter, but was intimidated by the collections. I look back now and wish I had injected myself into the discussion as a confessed novice. Unfortunatley, contact info has long expired and there is no joy in locating old members. If anyone out ther has knowledge of a like organization in Virginia, please let me know!