Is this Chikei?

[Mark Farrar]

Hi all,

 

Just got this sword and was wondering if this thick dark line is Chikei. Am I right thinking it is because it is running through the hada and not the hamon?

[Rabro]

To me it looks like an utsuri boundary or perhaps nijuba.

 

Regards, Roger

[Mark Farrar]

Im pretty sure its not utsuri. Nijuba wouldnt be black would it?

[nagamaki - Franco]

This dark linear effect is a result of a 'hadori' style of polish, placed on the sword by the polisher.

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/hadori.htm

 

fd

[Mark Farrar]

Heres a couple more clearer pics, i dont think it is hadori either, I think it is in the steel.

[Mark Farrar]

pic

[Darcy]

Hi Mark,

 

I think it might be nijuba... not sure though (even knowing the sword). Normally chikei is the same activity as inazuma, but in the ji instead. Chikei are usually dark steel that is very shiny.

 

The chikei though follow the lines of the hada. Nijuba should follow similar to the hamon going through the grain, and be of similar structure and color, it is literally a second line of hamon.

[Darcy]

Hi Mark,

 

I see something on page 250 of The Connoisseur's Guide that looks like this. Listed here as "Satsuma gane" which might help with the attribution of your sword...

[Mark Farrar]

Thanks thats quite interesting. It does look very much like that and the description of the other aspects of the blade seems to match. I will have to look through some other books at Satsuma work and see what I can find.