Tameshigiri Inscriptions?

[Drago]

Hi,

 

By coincidence I read on Wikipedia that swords were sometimes tested on the bodies of executed prisoners and that that was inscribed on the blade (like "5 bodies from shoulder to hip). Is that true? If so, would you be so kind as to answer a couple of my questions?

 

1. Could anyone provide pictures of blades and inscriptions? (I don't know what to look for on the net and I don't know if these kinds of inscriptions are also simply called mei or something else...)

2. Does anyone of you have one of those? If so, what does it say and how much did you pay for it?

3. Is that extremely rare, very rare, rare or common (for certain periods of time or social class)?

4. Are there certain time periods when this was done?

5. How does that incluence the price of the blade? From expensive or unaffordable?

 

Thanks! :D

[Nobody]

Ref.

http://www.una.edu/faculty/takeuchi/DrT ... 205-11.pdf

http://www.una.edu/faculty/takeuchi/DrT ... Katana.pdf

[b.hennick]

The Samurai Sword by John Yamoto has a blade with a three body cutting test made by Shodai Tadakuni.

Blades with cutting tests are not all that common but not rare either. They increase the value of the blade. I am not certain by what percentage. There are different cutting tests - some more difficult some more rare.

[Brian]

As said, cutting test insciptions are not common, but can be found. They are also a favorite of the fakers though, so they really need papers to be 100% sure of legitimacy. Because of the association with the Samurai and people's general nature...they do command quite a premium when legit. You have been linked to some good articles on them, and a Google search will turn up more.

 

Brian

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

5 bodies from shoulder to hip

 

Some cutting tests are clearly exagerated.

[bjmoose]

Here's a good site with lots of examples:

 

http://www.samuraisword.com/nihontodisp ... /index.htm