A naginata ... real or fake.

[Tim Simmons]

I think that is a super thing to have. Really like the thousands of pieces of shell .

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I think that is a super thing to have. Really like the thousands of pieces of shell .

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[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

... Really like the thousands of pieces of shell .

? - I presume you refer to the grip section wrapped in ray skin.


Naginata are cool. Wish I could afford one.


Re:tang - is the corresponding socket deeper than the tang length? Longer ones I think had two holes for the bamboo pins, does the haft have two? if broken, the missing bit may be still in there somewhere. It may even have been rehafted after breaking & the tang may fit accordingly. (I only see one hole for the meguki pin in the rayskin section.)

[CutlassCollector]

My interest in Japanese arms faded some time ago but I retained some items including this naginata.

I post it here as it is a similar shape to Fernando's but it is of much poorer quality and I have doubted it's authenticity because of that. There is no signature on the tang but good file marks and a punched hole. The pole is missing some fittings. Perhaps it was mass produced for a foot soldier rather than a superior signed blade fit for a samurai.

It has also lost some red lacquer from the fuller which does not help the look. I decided give it the benefit of the doubt and kept it with no intention of making it shiny - just preserved.

CC

[Ren Ren]

Originally Posted by CutlassCollector

I post it here as it is a similar shape to Fernando's but it is of much poorer quality and I have doubted it's authenticity because of that.
CC

Your item could very well be an imitation made in Siam or Vietnam. Then this is a significantly rarer thing than the original Japanese one. The first difference between objects from Indochina is the round section of the pole (in Japan, the section is usually oval). The second difference is the shorter tang. Philip wrote about it on the forum. I well remember that he noted that in Indochina they used natural resins for additional fastening and therefore there was no need to make long tang. There are other differences, but they relate to the details of the decor.

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by kronckew

? - I presume you refer to the grip section wrapped in ray skin.
)

I am quite sure that this is mother of pearl lacquer.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by asomotif

I am quite sure that this is mother of pearl lacquer.

Yes, of course.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by kronckew

... I presume you refer to the grip section wrapped in ray skin...

Mother of pearl, as already confirmed.

Originally Posted by kronckew

...Naginata are cool. Wish I could afford one ...

Mine wasn't expensive; obviously due to its condition.

Originally Posted by kronckew

...Re:tang - is the corresponding socket deeper than the tang length? Longer ones I think had two holes for the bamboo pins, does the haft have two? if broken, the missing bit may be still in there somewhere. It may even have been rehafted after breaking & the tang may fit accordingly. (I only see one hole for the meguki pin in the rayskin section.)

After disassembling it and before mounting it back, i had a good look and must conclude that the blade and the haft were not made for each other. Some story i can't figure out. The mekugi hole does not coincide with the hole on the blade ... by over an inch.The blade has not been broken but cut off; maybe for the version to adapt it to a wakizashi, as already approached ... i wouldn't know.

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[pbleed]

Unless I missed it, no one has translated the signature of this blade. With the clearer image that is possible. And it let's me correct my earlier assessment.
This blade is signed Nanto ju Kanebo Masatsugu. (MAS1654)
He was a smith who made polearms in the Yamato district (call it Nara) in the early 1500's
I had assumed that it was later than that. and naginata that date before 1600 are both RARE and GOOD.
This blade would certainly warrent a polish.
Peter Bleed

[fernando]

Fantastic Peter !
Thank you ever so much .

[ariel]

What is " mother of pearl" lacquer?
Never heard of it. Can somebody explain?
Thanks.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by ariel

What is " mother of pearl" lacquer?
Never heard of it. Can somebody explain?
Thanks.

Forget the "lacquer"; call it "inlay" .

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by fernando

Mother of pearl, as already confirmed.
...

.

Thanks for the better photo, looks just like MOP pieces.

[ariel]

fernando:
No doubt my Naginata is not indicated for Nihonto perfectionists but, would be the 'perfect find' for me .

__________________________________________________ ________--

A perfect attitude!

[Battara]

Oh I agree. I have a koto wakazashi with my favorite - mokume hada. However it has some issues and is mumei. Thus it is not a high value piece, but I keep it and love it, imperfections and all (and for a koto blade some kizu imperfections are to be expected.).

Again congratulations!

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Battara

...Again congratulations!

Thank you José.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by ariel

... A perfect attitude! ...

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