Hira Zukuri katana

[Brian]

Hi all,

Looking for any details, info, comments or pics of hira zukuri katana. How common are they, and were they predominantly a Shinshinto thing, Koto or all eras?

I'll post pics of the one I picked up in a day or 2. Must say, quite attractive and I guess a little unusual.

 

Brian

[NihontoEurope]

Brian,

 

Yes, they are nice. It is my believe that they were more common in the kotou era.

 

Here is my specimen:

 

平鎮教 二代

SHIZUNORI – Bungo 1558

 

Enjoy!

 

I'm looking forward seeing your pics Brian.

 

/Martin

[cabowen]

Rather uncommon, period......

[Ken-Hawaii]

Brian, I had an uchigatana in hira zukuri that I traded a number of years ago (before I realized how rare it was) to a local dealer (who will remain unnamed) that had NTHK papers indicating it was koto. I've pulled a mental blank on who the smith was, & no longer work with that dealer, so I can't ask him.

 

Ken

[runagmc]

Here's a great early example:

 

I believe this is daito length but I'm not 100% sure... if not, it's close.... and it's amazing either way...

[Kam]

Hi

One of my favorite styles Posted is my very large hirazukuri, mei is Soshu ju Tsunahiro. 27" nagasa, 35mm motohaba, 7.5mm motokasane.

 

Kam

[Wickstrom]

Here is an older example for sale on nihontocraft, Has a few open layers and what looks to be 3 small tate-ware in the 5th picture. Otherwise pretty solid looking sword to my eyes. Always thought these were quite interesting, they look like huge tanto.

 

 

http://www.nihontocraft.com/Hirazukuri_Koto_Katana.htm

[Jean]

There were not that unusual in Bizen Den, in the end of Nambokucho. There were at Aoi Art a few years ago 2/3 Katana for sale, now off to Japan. :D

[NihontoEurope]

Rather uncommon, period......

 

Chris, for you I will rephrase

 

BUNGO TAKADA SHIZUNORI 1558 (永禄 EIROKU)

 

/Martin

[george trotter]

Believe it or not "made to use" hira zukuri katana are also more recent...I have seen a WWII gendaito in Type 98 mounts with this blade. It was made by Yanagawa Ushoshin (also Seishoshin) and the mei can be seen here http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/seisho.jpg I can't remember exactly now but it may be tachi-mei.

I know nothing about him other than he is listed in the Gendai Swordsmiths list linked above under "Special Ranks - Betseki".

Sorry I have no pic, but this may be one of the swords my friend recently lost in a break-in.

Regards,

[Brian]

Thanks guys, keep them coming.

In my case, what I have is an obvious gimei Muramasa. It doesn't have enough age to be Muramasa. But someone certainly went to a lot of trouble to fake Muramasa, as it has a lot of traits. Hamon comes close to the ha in places (not worn through polishing though) and although not 100% identical, you can see the smith tried to make the hamon similar each side. Lovely hamon, which pops in the right light. A little tobiyaki/muneyaki in places. Just generally a pleasing sword.

But what interests me most is the hira zukuri. Someone obviously forged this blade to begin with to emulate this school. I need to add that they slipped up with the nakago, as they didn't quite get the shape right. Almost...but altered I suspect.

Not sure whether this started out as a sword that was then later gimei'd...or as I suspect..made as an utsushimono that was later signed.

It has part Gunto fittings, part old fittings. Went to war. Maybe a Shinshinto? No flaws, and the hada is so tight that it isn't very visible in the current polish.

Whatever it is, I think it is unusual and quite like it. I only have the pics I was first sent. Will try post better ones this weekend.

 

Brian

[Ed]

Here is another for you to take a look at Brian. 28" nagasa, signed Akihiro.

 

http://yakiba.com/Kat_Akihiro.htm

[IanB]

I was told that a well-known smith, who likes making them, has problems selling them because they are prone to cracking - even a considerable time after being made.

Ian Bottomley

[Swords]

On 10/25/2011 at 12:37 PM, Brian said:

Thanks guys, keep them coming.

In my case, what I have is an obvious gimei Muramasa. It doesn't have enough age to be Muramasa. But someone certainly went to a lot of trouble to fake Muramasa, as it has a lot of traits. Hamon comes close to the ha in places (not worn through polishing though) and although not 100% identical, you can see the smith tried to make the hamon similar each side. Lovely hamon, which pops in the right light. A little tobiyaki/muneyaki in places. Just generally a pleasing sword.

But what interests me most is the hira zukuri. Someone obviously forged this blade to begin with to emulate this school. I need to add that they slipped up with the nakago, as they didn't quite get the shape right. Almost...but altered I suspect.

Not sure whether this started out as a sword that was then later gimei'd...or as I suspect..made as an utsushimono that was later signed.

It has part Gunto fittings, part old fittings. Went to war. Maybe a Shinshinto? No flaws, and the hada is so tight that it isn't very visible in the current polish.

Whatever it is, I think it is unusual and quite like it. I only have the pics I was first sent. Will try post better ones this weekend.

 

Brian

Has a large pitted on blade pitted  spot 

The rest looks nice 

steve 

 

 

 

[IanB]

I once discussed this with Yoshindo Yoshihara who likes making them, but he said they have a tendency to develop hagiri, sometimes long after having been made. 

Ian Bottomley

 

[ROKUJURO]

The reason for HAGIRE is due to the thinner cutting edge. In modern knives we call this the primary bevel (or grind angle). This feature eliminates some weight from the blade, making it a good but sensitive cutter for 'soft' targets.

[Alex A]

Remember this Kanefusa on Nicks site some years ago, almost Katana length, nice blade

Katana Signed Kanefusa in Koshirae - Nihonto Art

[PNSSHOGUN]

Here's an example, somewhat similar to the one above with Nagasa of 57cm. It feels more like a cutlass than a Japanese sword.

 

 

[Dave R]

I have a wakizashi of this form, posted elsewhere here. The katana seem to be a specialist blade, apparently favoured for competitive test cutting nowadays.