Icepic Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 I have been wondering if a Samurai included a Ko-gatana to the saya of his sword if there was a effort to have the Ko-gatana and sword made by the same smith? Or did it even matter much. Is this something that is seen in collections ? Just wondering. Quote
Mark Green Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 In late period, it is more likely about the kozuka. The blade was something you cut apples with. Although it would be very cool to have a nice daisho, with all blades being made by the same smith. Not sure if I have ever seen any. I'm sure they are out there though. Ko-gatana were likely made by students, I would think. They may still have the signature of the master though. It seems to me, that most of the ko-gatana you see, are signed by some no-kami or another. I feel there must have been a signature factory for a long time on these. Something for the gemei cutters to practice on?????? I think a friend of mine, even has a signed, Shinkei. Easy sale, to some unsuspecting young Samurai with the cash, in some late Edo market. Mark G Quote
Jean Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Mark, Some kogatana where made on purpose, I know of some of them done in sudare ba which were made to fit wakizashi. Others by students, some by masters ... Some were made by smiths dedicated/specialized in this kind of forge. They have survived well, are very healthy and not worn out as one often sees and can easily cut one's throat viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5184&hilit=kogatana Now if you are not too lazy, if you are goig in the search section and write kogatana, you will find more than 24 pages dedicated to the subject Quote
Mark Green Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Oh yes, there are some very pretty blades out there. I have a couple. But the VAST majority you see on the market, that's something else. Sorry, I should have been more clear. Most,if not all, were still made for utility. And like their big brothers, were made in the same time trusted way. With hamon, hada, and all the nice stuff in between. But still made to cut your apple, and anything else you needed to. I wonder if any big sword dealer in Japan has ever kept track of the "questionable" signature percentage on these? That would be fun to know. Outside of the highly collectible few I have seen, I'm not sure I would have trusted the signature on any of them. Unless it was mandatory to crank out a few hundred before you could get your no-kami title. Quote
Jean Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 I'll bet than more than half are gimei :D Quote
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