O koumori

Rest in peace Guido.

Nobody has mentioned attempting to ensure that the 'new' owners employ careful stewardship and care for these historical and culturally important objects. Perhaps in this community that goes without saying. Personally I'd rather take a monetary loss, knowing that they will be properly cared for, than realize a large profit dispersing them to a hack...And I'd like to think that my heirs are of the same opinion. just my 2 cents... Dan K

Forensic laboratories can use neutron activation analysis to discern serial numbers after they have been filed off (firearms, etc.) This is a non-destructive test. I wonder if it would work in this case?

I have an identical one that I bought about a year ago. They are repros.

from http://www.ksky.ne.jp./~sumie99/treatment.html

https://www.tsukamaki.net/

Just for clarification - you want to 'practice' with a papered Nihonto?

Check out: https://www.nihontocraft.com/Ko_Naminohira_Katana.html

Thank you for this amazing contribution Jussi!

Is the nakago signed?

Thank you Dr. Rivkin!

Great news! Thanks for your efforts Rayhan!

Agree. I am less and less inclined to ship blades, due to bad experiences with USPS and other shipping. See them in hand, buy them at the show, and take them home!

A few more pics...

Chicago sow...Friday setup

RIP Skip

Sam, Best of luck with your organization! Dan Kedzie Indiana Token Kai

Yes! Great observation!

Thank you!

Yes Jean, I read it "somewhere." “The guard protects the palm of the hand when holding the sword.” The Samurai Sword – a Handbook, John M. Yumoto "It prevents the hand from slipping onto the blade and brings the sword’s center of balance closer to the handle," Princeton University Art Museum https://artmuseum.pr...ctions/objects/19430 "It protected its user’s hand when he grabbed his sword or prevented its user’s hand slipping towards the blade part when he hits his enemy." Samurai Museum Shop, Shinjuku https://www.samuraim...81K19QIu6Ibei3h4WeIA And there are more. Anyway, I had no idea that this was a controversial topic, so I'll stop "spreading it" and get back to my original question: What function does the tsuba serve on a naginata?

Hi all, I believe that it is generally accepted that the primary function of the tsuba was to prevent the swordsman's hand from slipping forward onto the blade during combat. What, then, was the purpose of a tsuba on a naginata? To catch an opponent's blade to prevent it from damaging the pole?

Very nice carving! I bought a katana at the Chicago show last year - with a questionable "Naotane" mei - strictly for the Fudo Myoo horimono. I like your statue.

4.

Keep in mind that many forging flaws did not appear until after repeated polishing; similarly, higare often did not appear until later, when the sword was used.

Brian, Quick recovery, and happy holidays to you! Thanks for all you do to keep us running... Dan K