A naginata ... real or fake.

[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.
...

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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.

[Kmaddock]

Hi Fernando,

Following on from the PM

If it were mine I would purchase 2 + M of sewer pipe with caps on both ends and suspend the staff inside the pipe with some string and an old T shirt soaked in ammonis at the bottom (not touching the shaft) and close both caps.

Ammonia is very volatile after a few hours there should be nothing left alive.

Lovely historical item from the time of Christopher Columbus, I have some Japanese swords and the condition of such ancient artefacts can be amazing.

Regards,

Ken

[fernando]

Lovely idea, Ken. What would be the pipe diameter; as to leave some space for the 1 1/4 " staff (32 m/m)

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Kmaddock

...Ammonia is very volatile after a few hours there should be nothing left alive.

Are you there Ken ? Can you define a "few hours" ?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by ariel

... A perfect attitude! ...

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