Monohoshizao - Drying Pole

One of our members recently acquired an interesting sword - a nodachi.  This sword carries a slight resemblance to a film prop used to represent Monohoshizao - Sasaki Kojiro' s *Drying Pole". From the 1954 film trilogy Musashi, starring Mifune Toshiro and Koji Tsuruta. 

It isn't an exact clone of the film prop, however it has a 90cm blade (not very suitable for our school unless you have the  height and reach to match), and it has some blue fittings.  It is unclear what Sasaki Kojiro's actual sword looked like (apart from paintings from various sources) as there does not appear to be any record of his actual sword being preserved.  If you are reading this and and know if and which museum his actual sword was preserved, please put it down in the comment section below.

The large box was almost as long as a tatami mat. 

The recommendation was if you are ordering from the same retailer, do not open the package indoors as it is rather messy. 

Correspondence between the member and this retailer was interesting to say the least: 

"Gongs bellow in the background"

A swordsmith appears and bows before you, with sword and parchment in hand...

Prophecy foretold that only a hero with a heart true, and soul pure, could ever wield this sacred blade of Light!  The masters smile down on us today, and the forge is alight in the flames of celebration.

Well done, *****.  Blessing of the gods upon you, and may fortune guide your noble path.

You have obtained 1 x [Blessed Blade +9]

You have obtained 1 x [Parchment]

You have started quest [The Adventure Begins]

You look upon the parchment and it reads "I appreciate ya friend *****.  Godspeed, hero!  

I let your smith know you were grateful for his work!

Love and Light,

Hogi

Swords of the Northshire

The fuchi and kashira are in different postal codes.

The sword is by no means a top tier example of a nodachi, however for the price, it is hard to complain.  Besides, the intent of this acquisition was simply to have a nodachi length sword on hand for comparison and study, but not actual practice in the dojo.

Of course there would be the inevitable comparisons between this nodachi and a sword (iaito) with Musashi koshirae.  Again, these two examples are by no means historically accurate clones of Sasaki Kojiro and Miyamoto Musashi's swords, just rough representations of what may have appeared on screen at one point in time.

Some more images of the film prop this nodachi is loosely (very loosely) based on: 

The tsuka ito appeared to be tied nicely, however it wasn't exactly tight and had some wiggle to it.  To remedy this, a little Future/Pledge floor wax soaked into the wrap will firm things up after curing in a few days.  Not exactly the best solution (which would be to send it to a pro to re-wrap it), but good enough for what is essentially going to be just a decoration and conversation piece.

Appears to be real samegawa, despite being advertised to come with a plastic wrap 

One last shot of the famous duel from the film trilogy Musashi.

Renshu @ubcrec

Class Schedules:

Student Recreation Centre, UBC

Saturday: 9:30am to 11:30am

Tuesday: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Thursday: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Marpole Community Centre

Fridays: 5:45pm to 7:15pm

(Fall schedule starting Sep15)

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