New Sword

[Gyakuto128 137]

I’ve received the opportunity to be the ‘new custodian’ of two art swords forged by Enomoto Sadahito. They are truly beautiful

These are high resolution images and if you zoom in, you can see the ‘jihada’ or the grain in the steel. It’s called mokume or ‘wood burl’ due to its similarity to knots in timber. It shows the incredible skill of the ‘Saku’ (swordsmith).

The hamon (temper border) is notare which means ‘irregular wave’ characterised by gentle, flowing, wide waves resembling ocean swells. I love the two peaks the saku has added to the contour. You might notice the width of the hamon increases a little toward the tip end (kissaki) of the blade (the monouchi-the section used for actual cutting). This harks back to the style of Nambukuchō period swords (1336-1392) when it was widened in case of damage on the battlefield; the blade could hastily be resharpened and continued to be effectively used. The tip is longer than usual and called Ōkissaki.

The habaki (collars) are made of shibuichi covered in a thick gold foil which has been textured.

 

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The fittings were made by the late, great Ford Hallam, who was one of the greatest ‘Toshogu’ craftsmen.

 

[Gyakuto128 137]

Do watch these two incredible videos of Ford Hallam’s skills.

 

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The second sword as part of the daishō is a ‘kowakizashi’ or a small short sword (I’d call it a long tantō (dagger).

It has a well-packed itame jihada that looks like wood grain and a notare hamon and is in ‘hira zukuri’ blade shape (flat rather than with a ridge line) which is usual for tantō and some wakizashi.

 

[Gyakuto128 137]

I now have to make the long journey (for a Brit it’s a long way!) up to Scotland where it currently resides and bring it down to sunny Devon and it’s new home.

 

[Haruhiko]

I hate you. Affectionately and enviously.

 

[Gyakuto128 137]

It seems I was mistaken about the swordsmith (‘saku’) of this sword. My friend who’s sold this sword to me, phoned for a chat and it he informed me that the Saku was actually Sadayoshi Enomoto (1906-2000), the father of whom I thought was the smith. This is extremely significant because Sadayoshi san was designated as ‘Mukansa (無鑑査) translates literally to’without judgement’ or excerpt from inspection’s in the context of Nihontō (Japanese swords). It is a prestigious, high-ranking designation awarded to contemporary Japanese swordsmiths whose work has reached such an elite level of mastery that it no longer requires screening for awards at the annual Modern Sword Art Exhibition.

This also explains its cost

 

[Wing Woo Gar63 25]

The fittings were made by the late, great Ford Hallam, who was one of the greatest ‘Toshogu’ craftsmen.
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Stunningly beautiful

 

[Wing Woo Gar63 25]

I hate you. Affectionately and enviously.

same.

It seems I was mistaken about the swordsmith (‘saku’) of this sword. My friend who’s sold this sword to me, phoned for a chat and it he informed me that the Saku was actually Sadayoshi Enomoto (1906-2000), the father of whom I thought was the smith. This is extremely significant because Sadayoshi san was designated as ‘Mukansa (無鑑査) translates literally to’without judgement’ or excerpt from inspection’s in the context of Nihontō (Japanese swords). It is a prestigious, high-ranking designation awarded to contemporary Japanese swordsmiths whose work has reached such an elite level of mastery that it no longer requires screening for awards at the annual Modern Sword Art Exhibition.
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This also explains its cost

i am curious about the cost.

 

[dunc]

Beautiful!

 

[Gyakuto128 137]

I won’t be doing this with my new sword!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2034215892129898595

 

[Gyakuto128 137]

We do a similar thing with ZNKR’s Ukenagashi and train wishing a hoola-hoop to keep things nice and compact.

 

[Wing Woo Gar63 25]

I won’t be doing this with my new sword!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2034215892129898595

How many people have run themselves through doing this on the resheathing?

 

[Haruhiko]

I won’t be doing this with my new sword!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2034215892129898595

Gosh that's impressive.

 

[Gyakuto128 137]

Stabbing the thenar webspace of one’s left hand is the worst I’ve seen/done but there are a couple of kata that can lead to stabbing the left upper arm (tsuka ate) should one’s concentration lapse.

 

[Wing Woo Gar63 25]

Stabbing the thenar webspace of one’s left hand is the worst I’ve seen/done but there are a couple of kata that can lead to stabbing the left upper arm (tsuka ate) should one’s concentration lapse.

My friend shot himself through the hand with a too short arrow. He didn’t even feel it and was looking down range for his impact.

 

[Haruhiko]

Stabbing the thenar webspace of one’s left hand is the worst I’ve seen/done but there are a couple of kata that can lead to stabbing the left upper arm (tsuka ate) should one’s concentration lapse.

Utsuseme.

Wish I could find a better demonstration of it...

 

[Gyakuto128 137]

How short was it?

 

[Gyakuto128 137]

I could be months before I can pick up my sword Conquer haste and all that…deep breaths 4-7-8

 

[Gyakuto128 137]

The sword has a name!

Sōhō Setsu (双峰雪)

Meaning of the Name

双峰雪 — Sōhō Setsu

• 双 (sō) — twin, paired
• 峰 (hō) — mountain peak or summit
• 雪 (setsu / yuki) — snow

Literal meaning:
‘Snow on Twin Peaks.’

The imagery evokes two mountain summits capped with fresh snow, which fits hamon beautifully—those two bright peaks along its length resemble snowy summits rising from a ridge.

In Japanese poetry and art, snow on mountain peaks symbolises:

• Purity
• Stillness
• Refinement
• Enduring strength

This imagery appears frequently in classical works such as winter mountain scenes in ukiyo-e prints, including those by Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige.

Thus the sword’s name feels quietly noble rather than boastful, which aligns well with traditional Japanese aesthetics like wabi-sabi and yūgen (subtle beauty).

In a poetic sense, it can be read almost like a short phrase or title, similar to names given to famous blades such as Mikazuki Munechika.

A Slightly More Poetic Interpretation

Rather than just ‘Snow on the Twin Peaks’ the name can evoke a fuller image: Two silent peaks rising from the steel, crowned with winter snow. That imagery suits a calm, elegant blade like this one.


Twin peaks on steel—
snowy mountain ridge,
moonlight along its edge.