Hada

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hada

The Hada ( Japanese 肌 ) also English. Grain , is the surface structure of Japanese swords made from Tamahagane steel.

description

The different working methods of the various masters result in different structures that can be differentiated and classified by experts. Some master blacksmiths have created such an extraordinary structure that it was named after the blacksmiths and their blades can only be assigned using the Hada . The basic types are:

  1. Mokume-hada ( 杢 目 肌 ): Similar to the annual rings on trees . However, this similarity does not have to be decisive for the classification. Most Japanese blades are made of this type. Depending on the size of the structures, it is classified into the classes that correspond to the Mokume classification:
    1. Ō-mokume ( 大 杢 目 肌 ), large structures in the mokume-hada
    2. Chū-mokume ( 中 杢 目 肌 ), middle structures in Mokume-hada
    3. Ko-mokume ( 小 杢 目 肌 ), small structures in the mokume-hada .
    In addition to these basic types, there are also versions that are mixed with the Itame-hada or the Masame-hada or that are named after the type of Ji - nie ( 地 沸 ) (a black line in Ji = Chikei (belongs to the Hataraki )).
  2. Masame-hada ( 柾 目 肌 ): Similar to the grain of a tree that has been sawn lengthways ( masa ). The fibers of the tree run largely parallel, not always straight, but with slight curves. There are several variations of this type, including the “pure” Masame-hada , which is typical of the Hosho school. This Masame-hada runs in the grain of the Itame-hada and is therefore called "running Masame". Another type is the partial masame, in which the structures can be seen localized in one or a few places on the blade, usually on the shinogiji or along the hamon .
  3. Itame-hada ( 板 目 肌 ): Similar to oval tree rings. But it does not have the same variability as root wood , e.g. B. as in Mokume-hada, and also not the regular horizontal structures as in Masame-hada. As with the Mokume-hada, there is a precise division into large, medium and small structures.
  4. Ayasugi-hada ( 綾 杉 肌 ) also Gassan-hada ( 月 山 肌 ): Has a pattern with wavy lines. The Ayasugi-hada is usually seen on blades of the Gassan school, and it is named after this: Gassan-hada .
  5. Ko Nuka Hada A fine structure of the had that is vaguely reminiscent of rice bran. Often found on sword blades from the Hizen province (Tadayoshi school).
  6. Muji-hada ( 無 地 肌 ): Difficult to divide and identify. The Muji-hada usually has no recognizable structure, rather a homogeneous appearance. The steel has a fine structure due to frequent folding, which is difficult to see without magnification, even after an excellent polish. The structure can still be made visible using newer, improved polishing techniques. The Muji-hada can be understood as "apparently without structure".

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Tamio Tsuchiko: The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths. Translated by Kenji Mishina. Kodansha International, Tokyo et al. 2002, ISBN 4-7700-2854-7 , pp. 34-35.

literature

  • Kōkan Nagayama: The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords. Kodansha International, Tokyo 1998, ISBN 4-7700-2071-6 .
  • Nobuo Ogasawara: Japanese swords . 12th edition. Hoikusha, Osaka 1993, ISBN 4-586-54022-2 ( Color Books 22).
  • John M. Yumoto: The Samurai Sword. A handbook . Tuttle Publishing, Rutland VT et al. 1988, ISBN 0-8048-0509-1 .

Web links

Commons : Japanese Swords  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files