Skillfully Tempered Sharp Blades
(Sayetate no uchi kitai no wazamono)
Publisher: Ise-ya Ichibei
1847-1848
This series of prints
recognizes the contributions of famous sword smiths, as well as the warriors
who used their swords. Even today, great
artisans are officially honored in
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Subject:
Awa no Jurobei dragging his terrified daughter Sword smith:
(Rai?) Kunitsuga Robinson:
S51.1 |
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Subject: Sword smith:
Aoi Shimosaka Yasutsugu Robinson:
S51.2 |
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Subject: Kamiya Jihei about to perform seppuku while a dog carries off the
severed head of his beloved Koharu Sword smith:
? Robinson:
S51.3 NOTE: The
term ‘hara-kiri’, although more
common in English than ‘seppuku’,
is considered in |
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Subject: Katsuma Gengobei holding the
severed head of a woman Sword smith:
Morimitsu of Bizen Robinson:
S51.4 |
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Subject: Ôkumo Hikoroku Tessan Sword smith:
Gorô Masamune of Sagami Robinson:
S51.5 |
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Subject:
Sano Jirozayemon Sword smith:
“Two-character” Kuniyuki Robinson:
S51.6 |
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Subject:
Sasaki Ganryű standing besides a stone statue of Jizô in the rain Sword smith:
Shinsoku Robinson:
S51.7 |
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Subject: Shirai Gompachi crouching to
wash his hands while two dogs bark at him from behind Sword smith:
Sengo Muramasa of Ise Robinson:
S51.8 |
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Subject: Shundô Jiroyemon with a grey
face from impending death plunges sword into heap of straw Sword smith:
Shimosaka Yasutsugu Robinson:
S51.9 |
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Subject: Yodoya Shinshichi with
bloodstained scroll Sword smith:
“Two-character” Kunitoshi Robinson:
S51.10 |
‘Robinson’ refers to listing in Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints by Basil William Robinson (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1982).
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