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Blade
length: 77.2 cm
Curve: 2.9 cm
Width at base: 3.3 cm |
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Seiho
Sumitani |
Holding
the famous Bizen swords of the Kamakura era as his ideal,
Seiho Sumitani has dedicated himself to replicating these
magnificent pieces from yesteryear. He also created Sumitani
choji with its distinctive choji sword pattern.
Brief history: Born in Matto, Ishikawa Prefecture, Seiho Sumitani
was attracted to sword making while studying mechanical engineering
at Ritsumeikan University. After graduating he entered the
Ritsumeikan Japanese Sword Tempering Research Center and began
studying under Masayuki Sakurai. In 1942 he moved to the Kokoku
Japanese Sword Tempering Center in the Harada district of
Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture and began studying how to make
swords of his own design. In 1943 he won the Chinju-fu Director's
Prize, a special prize, at the New Swords Exhibition held
by Sasebo Chinju-fu. In 1955 he won a prize at the New Swords
Exhibition. In 1964 he won the Hokkoku Shimbun Cultural Award,
and in the same year he was designated, by Matto an Intangible
Cultural Asset of the city. In 1965 he won the Masamune Prize,
or the Honored Chairman Prize, at the New Fine Swords Exhibition.
In 1967 he was designated an Intangible Cultural Asset of
Ishikawa. In 1981 he was recognized as a Living National Treasure
as a swordsmith. In 1982 he won the Ishikawa Television Prize.
In 1984 he received the Purple Ribbon Medal. |
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