Naminohira
波平派 (Naminohira-ha)
One of the longest-lived schools in Japan: the smiths of Taniyama, in Satsuma, from the Heian period to Meiji.
Style and characteristics
A Yamato style: an itame jigane with nagare and masame, sometimes slightly soft, and a narrow nie suguha with hotsure. The old blades have the shape of an archaic tachi, with deep koshizori.
History
Tradition has Masakuni, its founder, come from Yamato in the Heian period; the name Yukiyasu was repeated for generations. The work is divided into Ko-Naminohira, Chū-Naminohira and Sue-Naminohira. For centuries it produced plain, sturdy blades, and the school remained active until the end of the samurai era.
Smiths of the school
- Naminohira Sumikiyo 波平純清
- Naminohira Yasuhiro 波平安広