Sadamune (swordsmith)

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Sadamune ( Japanese 貞 宗 ) was a Japanese swordsmith of the Kamakura period in the 14th century .

life and work

Sadamune was a swordsmith of the Sōshū tradition in Kamakura . It is widely believed that he was a son of the famous blacksmith Masamune, but there is also a view that he was born in Ōmi province and later went to Kamakura, where he became a disciple of Masamune. In any case, he continued his teacher's style and was almost equal in skill.

There are no swords that bear Sadamune's signature, we only have the word of later sword connoisseurs that they are swords from his hand. Tachi- type swords , which may originally have had inscriptions, have been shortened so much that any inscriptions have been lost. Swords like Tantō and Wakizashi have retained their tang, but have no inscriptions. Even so, it is not too difficult to identify Sadamune's swords, as his - unlike those of the blacksmith Yukimitsu of the same Sōshū tradition - show a fairly uniform style with only minor variations.

Generally speaking, while Masamune's swords are very striking in design and workmanship, Sadamune's have a simpler look. The nie ( 沸 ) effect, which is created by fine, shiny particles such as silver sand around the tempering line, is less noticeable with Sadamune, although in many cases equally beautiful. - Since Sadmune was active at the end of the Kamakura period and during the Nambokuchō period, some of his Tachi and Tantō show the style of the earlier period, others that of the later. And then there is Wakizashi from him with elongated, burr-free blades, typical of his early manufacturing period. - Swords of the Sōshū tradition are famous for their incised ornaments ( horimono ). The first to start such engravings seems to have been the engraver Daishimbō. Sadamune appears to have been his best successor, with many of his engravings being deeply carved and excellently executed. Often times he cut one pattern over another.

See also

literature

  • Tazawa, Yutaka: Sadamune . In: Biographical Dictionary of Japanese Art. Kodansha International,
personal data
SURNAME Sadamune
ALTERNATIVE NAMES 貞 宗 (Japanese)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Japanese swordsmith
DATE OF BIRTH 14th Century
DATE OF DEATH 14th Century