Katana

Bill M · 19th July 2007, 09:31 PM

A signed and dated katana with the NBTHK papers. This is the hardest sword I have ever tried to photograph. The 6 pictures you see here are a distillate from over 60 exposures and I am still not happy. I need to build a light tent to get this better.

I am trying PhotoBucket. Sized the pictures to 800 wide, don't know why they ran over. Maybe I need to go to 640?

Polish is modern Japan. Here are some interesting features about this katana.

This smith is from "Satsuma" province in Japan. He is the 63th generations sword-maker. His ancestors estimated start forging sword in 1306. The smith is working on a Tachi style from Koto period. One side is signed "Namihira Yukiyasu" and the other side is a date when he forged this sword. 1861 in our calendar.

It is awarded the paper by NBTHK in Showa 60th year. Showa is started 1926. So it is papered in 1985 in Japan. Here is how the Japanese calculated the year. 1926 + 60 year = 1986 minus 1 = 1985. The Western method of counting the first year is 1927 but the Japanese counting 1926 is the first year. The NBTHK awarded this sword for "Tokubetsu Hozon" paper

There are three kind of papers: Hozon, Tokubetsu and Juyo. . Hozon means "Worthy of preservation". Tokubetsu hozon means "Especially worthy of preservation". Juyo means "Important worthy of preservation".

Will post some more info on the basic features, later. I am just learning Nihonto.

This is a storage scabbard and handle (Shirasaya) specifically made for it. The blade in katanas is always carried and stored with the cutting edge up.

The boshi is very important and a difficult part of the blade to make.

The tang bears information about the maker and date. It should never be cleaned as the patination helps date it. The characters are only really visible in a rubbing.

Graceful line of the hamon.

Another picture showing the hamon.

And finally the overall unmounted blade. Hope that you like it.

19th July 2007, 09:31 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Katana A signed and dated katana with the NBTHK papers. This is the hardest sword I have ever tried to photograph. The 6 pictures you see here are a distillate from over 60 exposures and I am still not happy. I need to build a light tent to get this better. I am trying PhotoBucket. Sized the pictures to 800 wide, don't know why they ran over. Maybe I need to go to 640? Polish is modern Japan. Here are some interesting features about this katana. This smith is from "Satsuma" province in Japan. He is the 63th generations sword-maker. His ancestors estimated start forging sword in 1306. The smith is working on a Tachi style from Koto period. One side is signed "Namihira Yukiyasu" and the other side is a date when he forged this sword. 1861 in our calendar. It is awarded the paper by NBTHK in Showa 60th year. Showa is started 1926. So it is papered in 1985 in Japan. Here is how the Japanese calculated the year. 1926 + 60 year = 1986 minus 1 = 1985. The Western method of counting the first year is 1927 but the Japanese counting 1926 is the first year. The NBTHK awarded this sword for "Tokubetsu Hozon" paper There are three kind of papers: Hozon, Tokubetsu and Juyo. . Hozon means "Worthy of preservation". Tokubetsu hozon means "Especially worthy of preservation". Juyo means "Important worthy of preservation". Will post some more info on the basic features, later. I am just learning Nihonto. This is a storage scabbard and handle (Shirasaya) specifically made for it. The blade in katanas is always carried and stored with the cutting edge up. The boshi is very important and a difficult part of the blade to make. The tang bears information about the maker and date. It should never be cleaned as the patination helps date it. The characters are only really visible in a rubbing. Graceful line of the hamon. Another picture showing the hamon. And finally the overall unmounted blade. Hope that you like it.