Nihonto

NihontoEd

NihontoEd

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Messages
690
Hasn't been any requests for help with Japanese swords lately. For the most part we see the lower end of the quality scale in this section.

So, just for S&G I thought I would post something from the other end of that scale for your viewing pleasure.

This Tanto was made by the smith Mutsu no Kami Daido. It has been awarded Juyo status papers by the NBTHK. It has an old and elegant koshirae which has been awarded Tokubetsu Hozon by the NBTHK.
This is an exceptional blade and possibly the best extant Daido Tanto. As there are only 4-6 total Juyo Daido blades, by default, this is unquestionably one of the top 4-6 Daido blades in existence.

If you would like to see additional images and information about this sword, here is the link: https://yakiba.com/daido/


Daido-FV-U.jpg

Daido-Kosh-FV-U.jpg
 
Rich S said:
Double nakago-ana is because the blade had been remounted in new koshirae twice. A very elegant blade.
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I always wondered about that. Wouldn't it have been easier to drill through the new tsuka than the tang or was it impossible to get a perfect fit doing that?
 
Because you can't be sure of hitting the old nakao-ana directly drilling blind through the wood of the new tsuka. It's the traditional way of remounting a blade. With Nihonto all things are done traditionally.
 
Rich S said:
Because you can't be sure of hitting the old nakao-ana directly drilling blind through the wood of the new tsuka. It's the traditional way of remounting a blade. With Nihonto all things are done traditionally.
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Forgive my ignorance here Rich, because I'm definitely not up on traditional tsuka building techniques but wouldn't the tsuka be made in two halves (that's how I would do it, but I don't know if that's how it's done)? If that's the case it would be trivial to fit and drill the hole in the tsuka before the two halves are glued together it seems like?
 
That's how I would do it also, before I learned better. But there is a taboo in Nihonto to never altering the original nakago as that is a key to determining age and authenticity. Example, I've seen an early Kamakiri period tachi with 4 (or 5) nagako-ana. The older were punched while the newer were drilled. I suspect drilling through an existing nakago-ana could damage it's appearance hence making it useless for determining age and authenticity.

If you really want to learn about Nihonto, join Nihonto Message Board. Top, knowledgeable folks from around the world.

Nihonto Message Board

www.militaria.co.za www.militaria.co.za
 
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Omg, that is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! Holy shit! Stunning grain, Jihada? (Gigane?) Beautiful Hamon as well!

I haven't posted on hear in years n years, but I just, after 3 years, got my Nihontō. A Komiya family, Komikya Kunitada Katana, from the Fukuoka Prefecture Japan. It's from June 2000. My first sword ever. Not using it. Paid a whole lot! But have talked with sword enthusiasts in Japan and they tell me I got a fair deal. It would cost about the same in Japan. It's never been used, aside cutting some thin paper. It's polished for cutting, but it's quite awesome. (might consider having it polished further in the future but not sure) Actually check it out.. I'm gonna make a post on it soon. Please check it out, and again ... BEAUTIFUL blade, stunning!

Here's my Nihontō

https://yuhindo.com/kunitada/
 
I've been a Nihonto collector/student for about 40 years. Practiced iaido until I blew a knee - no balance after that - don't swing a 3 foot razor with no balance. I'd never use a sword like that for anything except admiration - beautiful katana!
 
cooldaddyfunk286 said:
I haven't posted on hear in years n years, but I just, after 3 years, got my Nihontō. A Komiya family, Komikya Kunitada Katana, from the Fukuoka Prefecture Japan. ...
Here's my Nihontō

https://yuhindo.com/kunitada/
Click to expand...
If you bought your Nihonto from there, then you bought from the best, and also you bought quality. Darcy didn't sell poor quality. You did very well.
Unfortunately Darcy passed away a few weeks ago. He'll be sorely missed in the community. 😔
 
Yes, Darcy (Yuhindo) was a top tier guy and a good friend. The Daido tanto which is the subject of this thread was one I sold for Darcy,
 
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