Habaki and origin

[Strider]

Does anyone know if habaki styles help to determine maker or time period? I think that since it is possible that they were changed etc. that there is no way of attributing a habaki to a particular blade. Any thoughts? Scott E

[Brian]

Scott,

This has been discussed before, and I think the over simplified answer is "no"

Although there are traits and styles and so many variations...when you come down to it, an antique habaki gives no indication of who made the blade or the time period. The very early blades might have had different habaki, but in general, Koto and later swords could have any type of habaki.

 

Brian

[Curran]

Gassan habaki might tell you something, but then most Gassan blades are so distinct as to already tells you it is a Gassan.

 

I do not know much about Gassan habaki. Would be nice if Mr. Tschernaga wanted to educate us further- but on 99.9% of the swords out there, it is as Brian said: no correlation.

[raaay]

HI

 

A few years ago at a Token sword event in London , i had taken a sword in gunto mounts with a shin shinto blade for some opinions on it.

 

that weekend there was , swordsmiths, shirasaya and habaki makers and handle wrapping craftsman all from Japan showing their work all that weekend.

 

when i was looking at the habaki display i was asked to show the sword to the craftsman making the habaki when he looked at the sword he said right away that the habaki on the shin gunto sword had been made by his teacher who worked through the war years making fittings etc and lived for a long time after war, and he had been one off his students

And he said he "would "recognise his masters work anywhere.

 

 

I think what happend to me, re - my sword and the habaki being recognised by one of his pupils was a fluke and will never happen again ???

 

thanks

 

ray.

[nagamaki - Franco]

I think what happend to me, re - my sword and the habaki being recognised by one of his pupils was a fluke and will never happen again ???

 

thanks

 

ray.

 

When talking to Mr. Tschernega about selecting a habaki style using imaged examples, several times he was very quick to ID the individual habaki maker, including his teacher. These top artisans are just as much very serious students as they are craftsman.

[Lorenzo]

Gentlemen, sorry to revive this old topic but the last time in Japan (until yesterday..) I've been in contact with a friend habakishi and talking to him we incidentally started a chat about mr. Tschernaga.

Do anyone have a contact information? I would like to write an email to him.

 

Thank you.

 

PS for Brian (Robinson :D ) I think do you know the man as well... Mr. Koike. Am I wrong?

[Brian]

Lorenzo,

Afraid I don't think that is me. Only been in Japan twice, and only once was dedicated to swords, and I didn't meet many people except the regular NMB crowd.

Wish I did though.

 

Brian

[Grey Doffin]

There is a well written and thoroughly researched article entitled, "The Evolution of Habaki" by Andy Mancabelli in Kokusai Tosogu Kai: 5th International Convention and Exhibition.

Grey

[nagamaki - Franco]

FYI, http://www.japanesesword.com/Services/services.htm

[Alan Morton]

I have just sent off my Gassan Sadamitsu aka Sadaichi for polish

 

with instructions that the distinctive Gassan habaki stay on the

 

newly polished blade .

 

Alan

[Lorenzo]

Franco, thank you. Only a phone number... I'll try mailing the website where the info are hosted.