Nihonto

Nihonto is the art of the Japanese sword. My father had a true love of nihonto. Below are several from the collection. I will be adding more photos periodically. A very good site for those just beginning their learning about nihonto is MeiBoku.info . This site is filled with information on translating oshigata as well as a lesson on the characteristics of nihonto blades.

Chounsai Emura

The below blade is Gendaito from WWII by Chounsai Emura. Emura was a very skilled smith who worked out of a prison. This makes him a very colorful character as well. He allowed some of the prisoners to apprentice with him and they learned skills such as polishing and crafting the furniture for the blades. This particular Emura is in full military mounts with a silver crest or mon still attached. Blade and mounts are in original condition and do show their age.

Blade is in original mounts with original polish.



Original polish shows both age and beauty of the craftsmanship.

Original polish is a little worse for wear.



Japanese family crest or mon.



Original military mounts.



The distinctive mei of Chounsai Emura.

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Wakazashi

Below is quite a lovely wakazashi, or short sword, from my father's collection. Wakazashi were carried by the Samurai as part of a daisho set and by the merchant class of Japan. The blade shows signs that it was shortened from a longer blade, such as a katana or tachi. The nakagojiri and file marks indicate it was shortened by a smith from the Yamato-provence school. The lacquer work on the saya is quite exquisite as are the fittings. 

 

Beautiful koshirae speaks for itself. 

 

Steel is in excellent shape, though it could use a final polish.

Copper habaki fits tight to the blade.

Tsuka wrapped in real same and silk ito. Fuchi kashira is a matched set depicting birds on tree
branches from the Edo era. Tsuba is old iron, probably from the Edo era as well. Kozuka has the
image of two children wrestling a catfish.

The nakagojiri and file marks on the tang are indicative of the Yamato school of swordsmiths.