Japanese Sword Polishing

Sword polishing process is considered even more important than the forging process. There are needed more skills and experience to correctly polish a sword than to forge one. Polishing is what distinguishes professional sword makers from amateurs. You can easily determine the quality of a sword by closely watching the ridgeline down the middle of the blade. When talking about Japanese swords it is called Shinogi.

When studying this interesting theme I decided to mainly refer to Japanese swords. I discovered a very rich tradition of sword polishing. This reaches beyond technology and becomes an art.

A good polish makes the ridgeline crisp and sharp; in contrast to this a low quality polishing will feature wobbles and al kinds of fluttering.

Short History of Japanese Sword Polishing

A description of sword polishing dates back to 905CE, it is considered one of the earliest one. There also exist evidences of Tanto (a specific type of dagger) polishing which are qualified as dating back to 1274CE. The experts came to the conclusion that the methods of polishing described in those old documents didn’t considerably differ from the modern ones.

For example, a Tanto polishing involved methods like:

- polishing with finishing stones (Migaki and Uchigumori);

- inger polishing with tiny stones (Narutaki);

- polishing powder (Tsuya and Nugui).

The research traces led to the fact that the basic three stages of sword polishing already existed in the early Heian Period (mid of the 9th Century). Finally, it was concluded that the traditional sword polishing, we are acquainted with today, was formed by the mid 10th century. And the masters which settled it are known as Kunihiro and Tamesada. The two polishers were serving the Emperor (Gotoba).

Later there was added the technology of finishing work with extremely fine stone. This indeed was not a necessary stage, as it was considered more a decorative technology. The stage of a middle grain stone (Nagura) polishing was considered enough to make the sword work. The polishing stages after the Nagura stone were used to enhance artistry and create beautiful patterns. For the Jihada and the Hamon patterns were used stones called Uchigumori and Narutaki (thin lacquered stones).

The basis of the modern sword polishing was established in the late 16th Century by Hon-ami Kotoku dynasty. This dynasty is respected and known as sword polishers and collectors even today.

The Very Polishing

In total, Japanese sword polishing performs 13 stages. Each of the stages has its own destination. Different tools and stones are provided for each stage. There is also a specific culture of applied movements.

One of the polishers, who is a member of Hon-ami dynasty, says that in normal conditions and rhythms of work a sword takes about 120 hours to be finished. Any tinny mistake can ruin a fine blade. It has to be mentioned that none of the polishing methods like Jihada and Hamon don’t work on any kind of swords besides the Japanese ones.

Some basic rules are:

- When grinding away, maintain a constant angle on the bevel at the same time;

- The Niku (a slight convex curve of the blade) is hard but important to produce as a consistent curve;

- You must use at least six differently grained types of stones, in a specific sequence;

- Train your movements as even the finest stones can alter the shape of the blade.

Major Stages

1. Use of the bulk stones. Which you utilize to put in practice the above steps and to give a traditional shape to the blade.

2. Finishing polish (Shiage-togi). This stage involves the use the finger stones to bring out the activity in the steel. The Hamon is not only the wave frosting line you see. Indeed it consists of subtle steel grains. Your task is to expose the Nie crystals the Ashi effects visible.

Note: More detailed information on Japanese sword polishing stages will be presented in the next article.

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