This is a signed naga-imo-hori ("long potato cutter") by a well-regarded Japanese swordsmith. At the time I purchased it he was the chairman of the Kanto region swordsmith's association.
He also forged traditional farm tools.
I arrived at a Tokyo garden tool shop to buy a quality kuwaa (hoe) for a Japanese teacher back home. I also bought this piece for my parents, can't remember the price. But the clerk was especially impressed that I would spend $350 on a hoe for a teacher. He took it as a sign of good character. So he explained that his father was just then forging a katana in the basement, and would I like to watch?
YES!
So I watched silently as the father began shaping the blade from the billet, until he took a break after about 40 minutes.
Farming was a respectable living for cash-strapped samurai, so the cultural connection between farm tools and swords isn't a stretch by any means.
He also forged traditional farm tools.
I arrived at a Tokyo garden tool shop to buy a quality kuwaa (hoe) for a Japanese teacher back home. I also bought this piece for my parents, can't remember the price. But the clerk was especially impressed that I would spend $350 on a hoe for a teacher. He took it as a sign of good character. So he explained that his father was just then forging a katana in the basement, and would I like to watch?
YES!
So I watched silently as the father began shaping the blade from the billet, until he took a break after about 40 minutes.
Farming was a respectable living for cash-strapped samurai, so the cultural connection between farm tools and swords isn't a stretch by any means.
