Shinshin-to hamon opinion

[Ron STL]

This is a very handsome mumei wakizashi that I would consider shinshin-to. The hamon is very beautiful, what I would call midare-choji with abundant long ashi all along. The boshi is a continuation of the hamon with ko-maru and short kaeri. The hamon definitly slants (saka-ashi). Ubu-ba exists. Nakago is ubu with rounded mune, flat ha. Yasurime are slanting left without the addition of Kesho yarsurime (a little unusual for shinshin-to).

 

If course opinions are welcomed but my real question deals with the hamon description. A very similar hamon is illustrated in Harry's translation of Nihonto Koza (Shinshin-to) p. 266, a sword by Suishinshi Masatsugu. The book simply states "choji midare" but I see abundant patterns of what I'd call "crab claw" pattern along with some "eruptions?" that reach out of the hamon. Yes, I agree with your thoughts...I do sort of beat this kind of thing to death, but it seems a hamon like this needs a better description. Anyone care to have a go at it???

 

As for my kantei thoughts, I feel it would fall into den Masahide, something into Naotane and with the slanting hamon, perhaps Naokatsu? There is the possibility of this being a Taisho gendai-to or even newer...but I'll stick to shinshin-to for now. The lack of kesho yasurime puzzles me and while the nakago-jiri is ha-agiri it is a little sharp cut on its top portion, sort of resembling Masahide's style but not as obvious. Okay...once again I'm curious how others would describe the hamon and secondly, I thought it would be fun to "kantei" this blade as best as we can through iffy photos! No answer, so we can all be correct! (seems my full length photo is not taking...let's see what turns up...)

 

Ron H.

[mdiddy]

Ron,

 

I agree with choji midare but see a touch of both kani-no-hasami (crab-claw) and uma-no-ha (horsetooth). To me the uma-no-ha looks a little more exagerated than the kani-no-hasami. Just my opinion.

 

Here is a previous post where a somewhat similar Bizen-inspired hamon was discussed: http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/nmb/ ... f=1&t=7513.

 

What is the hada like?

 

Matt

[Ron STL]

Thanks Matt, I am seeing this pretty well throughout the hamon and would think it prominent enough to note it in a record sheet description. I'll check out that earlier discussion to see what was said. Thanks for the link.

 

The ji-hada is completely hidden by the light scratching that covers the entire blade. Being as new as I think it is, it would be a very tight forging, maybe muji-hada. A polish will expose it in due time.

 

This sword was part of small "lot" I purchased from a friend who needed some funds to replace his car, thanks to a leaping deer! I just sold the wakizashi to a local friend who will eventually have it polished. I just enjoy working up a record sheet to go along with the sword. Always a nice way to study a sword!

 

Ron H.