Kajihei Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 If an unshortened nakago is called ubu nakago, then what would you call a nakago lacking a mekugi ana? Virgin nakago? I looked in my sword dictionary, but it couldn't give me the term. LOL http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Samurai-Sw ... dZViewItem Kaj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 Hm, sounds like a question a sword smith should answer? I don't know of a nihonto-term describing such a virgin nakago. By the way: welcome, Torsten! (Just in case it is you...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 I think the simple answer is that an ubu nakago without mekugi ana, is still an ubu nakago. It is unlikely an ubu nakago would ever have no ana, unless it was not finished. In that case, one would be drilled when it was mounted. In this case of course, it is not an ubu nakago, merely a blade that has been shortened and the nakago has not yet been finished. I don't think there would be a special term for something that has no practical use and is merely unfinished work. Just my opinion of course. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 I understand some blades made to be donated to Shrines were made without ana. If that were the case i agree it is Ubu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remzy Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 The description state that it was damaged and shortened to save the blade, if you look close at the nakago tip, you will see a part of the previous mekugi ana still showing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 a gendai sans ana, was told the same it may have been made for a shrine, agree with Mark it would be just ubu. Remy is right it its oshirge but the question was what if one was made with out one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remzy Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 It would surprise me to see a Japanese smith skip a step, namely to add a ana, especially if it is to give to a shrine as they never separated function from spiritual symbol, well, or so i am told. Not saying it never happened, only that it sounds.. odd to me. edit to add: just as odd as a real working car with all of the parts, but without the keyhole... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel L Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 In this particular case I'd call it "hacked to bits." Seriously, that's a pretty sad shortening job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 " one would be drilled when it was mounted " that said it all.........................good one, Brian, Milt the ronin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kusunokimasahige Posted September 18, 2007 Report Share Posted September 18, 2007 remains of the mekugi-ana are still to be seen.... a sword cut short........ why? who knows..... KM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 Guys! Read the auction description. It is all explained clearly. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreasU Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 Where is the Problem? It was a sword with a forging flaw. It was shortened and a new nakago was shaped. So far a very normal procedure. The only thing that is missing now is the mekugi ana. This has to be drilled anyhow sooner or later. So in this case the polisher decided not to drill it now. Doesn`t matter really because anyhow it was a low quality sword from a low quality smidth when I see the massive forging flaw. Andreas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remzy Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 "low quality smith" would still be far above us all in here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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