what kind of katana ?

[strato]

Hi

Does anyone knows what kind of katana used by otake sensei from katori shinto ryu ?

[sanjuro]

I can find no reference to the actual sword used by Master Otake. I suspect he has access to several.

The TSKSR advocates a certain style of sword, and I quote: "The ideal sword for use in Iai Jutsu is one about 2 shaku 3 sun and 5 bu(approx 68 centimetres) in blade length, having a moderate curvature (about 6 bu)., and no long point".

 

Master Otake's Master was Hayashi Yazeamon Iekiyo. He was known to use a sword made by Kanemoto (Mogoroku), and since the pupil so often walks in the Masters footsteps, it is to be expected that Master Otake would favour a similar blade for his own use.

[chrisf]

If you can,check 'The Deity and The Sword' volumes which illustrate some of the kata from TSKSR and in one mention is made of the Magoroku Kanemoto which was passed down to Master Otake and which was noted for the short length of its tsuka.

If memory serves me correctly there are a number of good views of his katana which looks to have fairly deep sori,bo-hi and suriage with more than one mekugi ana.

I do remember being impressed with the classic understated elegance of the sword and its mounts.

[sanjuro]

Chrisf

 

In fact the Kanemoto 'Magoroku' was not passed down to Master Otake. It remains according to Master Otake, much valued and respected, in the hands of the Hayashi family . Pge 5, volume 2, The Deity and the Sword - first edition.

 

It occurs to me that the sword with which Master Otake is most often pictured, would likely be an iato or shinken. A photographic session for the illustration of techniques (which Master Otake has done a great deal of), involves many takes and retakes, , with a concomitant repetition of each draw, each chiburi, each noto. Subjecting a valuable and fine blade to such highly repetetive and intensive use would not be necessary. An Iaito would more than suffice for such use. Personal use on the other hand may be an entirely different matter. This however, is speculation on my part.

[chrisf]

Apologies for my error,it is 20 years since I owned 'The Deity and The Sword',I understood the Kanemoto had passed into Master Otake's care but obviously my memory was incorrect.

[sanjuro]

Actually Chris, it wasn't an unreasonable assumption on your part. However, it seems that as far as I can determine, swords of the master are not generally as a matter of course, passed down to the senior pupil in many ryu. which raises a question of why, when it would seem such a natural thing to bequeath. It would be interesting to hear others opinions on this, since I could be entirely wrong and have just not looked for information in the right places.