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Matsuba Kunimasa (swordsmith / budo-ka)
Hi all,
Just returned from a lecture/meeting/demonstration by a visiting swordsmith from Japan that is rising in notoriety, Matsuba Kunimasa (Ichiro). He is based out of Miyazaki-ken in Kyushu (Hyuga City), and is probably best known for having won the NBTHK competition about 8 years ago for best Japanese sword. However, he is also a 6th dan in Manseikan Aikido (Sunadomari) and a 5th dan in Kendo, and appears to be developing some form of kenjutsu that has roots in Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryu.
What was of particular interest to me, besides though, is that his first teacher in swordsmithing was Kobayashi Yasuhiro (d. 1987), who in turn was known for trying to revive the Koto period methods in order to make stronger, sharper blades for actual use. Obata Toshishiro was a sword tester for Kobayashi during that time (that is the main sword he uses for cutting), and I was given a Kobayashi wakizashi once as a gift that I like very much. So I was very curious about Matsuba and the type of swords he makes.
The sold-out event yesterday (55 attendees) was hosted in part by the "Sushi Chef Institute" in Torrance, California, and part of the $45 per ticket went towards a sushi buffet lunch. It started with a video, and then a lecture on sword making and the development of Japanese swords over the various periods. I asked him how much influence Mr. Kobayashi was on the methods of his current smithing, and he said it was totally different, and that he believes that he is making swords at a level that he believes Kobayashi was trying to reach. Of course, Matsuba brought several of his swords with to show, including the one that won the NBTHK competition. Beautiful stuff, but apparently, way outside my price range (basically starting price is that of a new car).
He finished with an hour demonstration of tameshigiri, all on various sizes of fresh green Japanese bamboo. It occurred to me that cutting bamboo was probably his specialty, since many swordsmen in Japan cut tatami omote, but very few of them attempt to cut bamboo (whereas bamboo cutting in California, however, is well known already!). One of the things I thought was interesting about his cutting methods was his emphasis of short-stroke cuts. If I understood him correctly, these smaller cuts were a test based on the idea of cutting trough the kote, whereas the larger cuts would have been reserved for the torso. While his swords are sharp, there is no disputing that he is skilled at generating a great deal of speed and power in a relatively small swing.
Although this particular event was not without its problems (I'll list them if anyone is really interested in hearing my gripes), it was overall a worthwhile event. For those interested in swordmaking or tameshigiri, there is a second event here in Los Angeles coming up this Tuesday night, Sept 3rd, that is a lecture only, but FREE to the public (RSVP necessary). More information on this lecture at the Japan Foundation Los Angeles webpage.
I'm having trouble posting links to youtube, but if anyone is curious, go there and search for "Bokken.mov" (segment on Matsuba swinging a furibo) and "Real Japanese Sword Smith Visiting Los Angeles August 2013" (segment for LA enbu and lecture).
Regards,
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Originally Posted by Kendoguy9
