Blood and hilts

celtan · 28th September 2008, 08:36 PM

Hey, that's interesting! I did a search on Muramasa, and (besides it being Wolverine's Sword : ) I found about the legend.

BTW: I'lm truly. a lil'bit scared of the d. thing. I showed it yesrerday to a friend, and nothing happened, but I was afraid it would slip and pierce my foot or something. I actually told my frind no to step in too close.

I used to practice Kendo, and had heard about the competition between the Masamune and the Muramasa swords (didn't know their names, though) but the version I received was that the Masamune? was superior because its very nature caused the absence of conflict.

The info I obtained on my blade is that it's a Gendaito made after 1926, and that the armourer's name was KANEZANE. I just purchased a Hilt set in England, and hope to eventually find a suitable habaki, which it's also missing.

But the blade is in dire condition, and there's no way the cost justifies sending it to be polished "a la niponese".

Best

M

Jim McDougall · 28th September 2008, 10:57 PM

Hi Celtan,
Although I have always very much admired the Samurai legends and the amazing Japanese swords, I have never really gone too far into thier study. In the cases of Muramasa and Masamune, the names are so close it is confusing for a novice as myself on these swords. I have only ever owned one Japanese sword, a katana, which dated about 1860's and was significant to me with its proximity to the famed Satsumi Rebellion. The blade had a deep crack, thus eliminating any value other than intrinsic. Just the same, I very much enjoyed having it simply for what it was, regardless of its status among purists.

I think that the example you have sounds great in its own right in the same way. Even 20th century weapons often have thier own place in history and in thier own degree. I would keep restoration minimal and enjoy it pretty much as it is.

Concerning the more esoteric properties of weapons, in studying the history of them one cannot discount the superstitions, beliefs and theological perspectives that accompany them into our own times. The sacred nature of the sword of the Samurai is well established, the religious significance imbued into the swords of Hinduism and Islam much revered.
In Indonesia, the mysteries of the keris are paramount in the traditions and sacred beliefs of these important cultures, and certainly exceed the definitions typically used in trying to describe them by those who do not deeply understand them.

As I have heard commented in a number of instances when people of various cultures have entered a place full of old antique weapons......there are spirits here! Whether believed or not...the thought is compelling.

All the best,
Jim

28th September 2008, 08:36 PM	#1
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Hey, that's interesting! I did a search on Muramasa, and (besides it being Wolverine's Sword : ) I found about the legend. BTW: I'lm truly. a lil'bit scared of the d. thing. I showed it yesrerday to a friend, and nothing happened, but I was afraid it would slip and pierce my foot or something. I actually told my frind no to step in too close. I used to practice Kendo, and had heard about the competition between the Masamune and the Muramasa swords (didn't know their names, though) but the version I received was that the Masamune? was superior because its very nature caused the absence of conflict. The info I obtained on my blade is that it's a Gendaito made after 1926, and that the armourer's name was KANEZANE. I just purchased a Hilt set in England, and hope to eventually find a suitable habaki, which it's also missing. But the blade is in dire condition, and there's no way the cost justifies sending it to be polished "a la niponese". Best M

28th September 2008, 10:57 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	Hi Celtan, Although I have always very much admired the Samurai legends and the amazing Japanese swords, I have never really gone too far into thier study. In the cases of Muramasa and Masamune, the names are so close it is confusing for a novice as myself on these swords. I have only ever owned one Japanese sword, a katana, which dated about 1860's and was significant to me with its proximity to the famed Satsumi Rebellion. The blade had a deep crack, thus eliminating any value other than intrinsic. Just the same, I very much enjoyed having it simply for what it was, regardless of its status among purists. I think that the example you have sounds great in its own right in the same way. Even 20th century weapons often have thier own place in history and in thier own degree. I would keep restoration minimal and enjoy it pretty much as it is. Concerning the more esoteric properties of weapons, in studying the history of them one cannot discount the superstitions, beliefs and theological perspectives that accompany them into our own times. The sacred nature of the sword of the Samurai is well established, the religious significance imbued into the swords of Hinduism and Islam much revered. In Indonesia, the mysteries of the keris are paramount in the traditions and sacred beliefs of these important cultures, and certainly exceed the definitions typically used in trying to describe them by those who do not deeply understand them. As I have heard commented in a number of instances when people of various cultures have entered a place full of old antique weapons......there are spirits here! Whether believed or not...the thought is compelling. All the best, Jim