FireElementNinja Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 First of all I'm sorry if I did not post where I should've . The last few days I've been searching the internet (without any major and clearing result) about Chokuto; the only thing that I've found is a short history of the blade. The first and utmost thing I would like to know (if anyone can help me) is the measurement of a Chokuto (i.e. blade length, blade width, blade thickness). Any other information would also be appreciated. Thanks a lot! Quote
sanjuro Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 OK..... Now, first up can you please sign your name to your posts. I as well as others would be somewhat loathe to speak to anyone in an alter ego 'FireElementNinja' (whatever that is) form. Its also a rule of the forum that you use a real name (the boss insists). You ask about chokuto...... Hmmmm. Well they came in all sizes from I metre in length for the Chinese kazaritachi style down to whatever you percieve a wakizashi length to be. In that variety there were variations also in thickness width etc. Can you be more specific? Approximate period etc..... etc, bearing in mind that the chokuto style of blade was not used in Japan much after the early Heian period. If you are asking about the chokuto of an early period (Nara) then fair enough, there is a fair bit of reading matter on the subject available. If on the other hand as your avatar name might suggest, you are trying to ascertain the correct dimensions for a ninjato its doubtful that there ever was a specific style of sword used by Shinobi warriors, and a chokuto blade would be the last style of choice simply because it would have stuck out like a sore thumb in a world populated by samurai wearing curved katana's. As far as I know, Ninja were trying very hard to blend in rather than walk around with the equivalent of a neon sign painted on their foreheads. Theoretically, if such a thing as a chokuto style ninjato ever existed then it could conceivably have been any length the owner wished it to be, or found comfortable to use. No preconceptions.... just covering the possibilities. Incidentally..... Welcome to the forum Quote
FireElementNinja Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Posted February 23, 2011 Thanks for the rapid response. No, I don't refere to the Ninjato (I'm well aware of the characteristics of a Ninjato), I'm talking about the the Chokuto, more precisely the pre-Heian time Chokuto. I'll try the name change, though I don't know exactly how am I suppose to do it... I'll figure it out, thx again! Quote
Lorenzo Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 You don't need to change your name, just to add a signature ad the end of your post. Welcome to the forum, Lorenzo Quote
sanjuro Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 No need to change the avatar.. its rather novel and provocative. I like it. We have a Ronin and a smattering of other Japanese names and titles, but we dont have a Ninja until now................Just add a signature to the bottom of your posts, you can add it so that it comes up at the bottom of your posts automatically. Get into the profile page and do it there..... you'll find a menu item for adding signatures. Quote
FireElementNinja Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Posted February 23, 2011 Ok, I think I've done it, sorry for the trouble. Btw, still awaiting further info. on Chokutos. Quote
sanjuro Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 Hi Bogdan OK.. Its arguable that chokuto were not in fact Nihonto (as in not of native Japanese manufacture) but rather imports from the Chinese or Korean mainland. Be that as it may, The Heishi Shorin sword is probably the most famous example of an imported blade it is actually a kiriha style which once belonged to Prince Shotoku. It is described as a small narrow sword as I recall. The other famous sword of the type is the seven star sword. Both are kept at the Tenno Ji at Nara. For a Chokuto blade of Japanese manufacture, the most reliable type is the Kabutsuchi no tachi or the koma tsurugi types. Both are represented by tumulus finds and I guess thats where you may need to research. At Nara there are several examples of chokuto and range from 102cm length blade (nagasa) to much shorter blades. Details of width and thickness would be included in the published descriptions of the Nara swords. A reliable resource on this forum for this type of early blade would be Carlo Tacchini, who has researched these early swords exhaustively. It wouldnt surprise me if he responds to your post. Quote
FireElementNinja Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Posted February 23, 2011 Thx for the info. Quote
Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 Hi Keith. There's little that I can add to your explanation. Considering the topic, it might be relevant this reading : http://www.webalice.it/tsubame1/ Still the old version. Update is far to be completed. Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 hi, you might try searching for a used copy (out of print) of An Early Style of A Japanese Sword; A Search for the Origin of The Curve, a special exhibition catalogue published by the Sano Museum (ISBN4-915857-56-5), if you enjoy this subject. Mostly written in Japanese, but includes an English index. Quote
Mark Green Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 Here is a pretty spiff vid. Mark G Quote
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