md02geist

Was all kabuto etc lacquer smooth like glass or did they ever texture it with brush techniques, adding stuff like a dust to it, or any other way?

That's a very good point!

I have no problem if it was an ashigaru. I just think that likely due to the condition and quality (and this was suggested to me by the seller, which I agree with although I admit I am not a professional but merely someone who has begun to dabble) it may very well not be a poor common footsoldier's weapon. Possible? Sure. Possibly not? Sure. I know there were samurai who fought on foot. This to me just doesn't seem like what a poor or mass issue peasant conscript would be wielding. Again, still possible of course. But I wouldn't expect the refinement here. Either way thanks for linking me a new movie to watch! I look forward to it.

I understand the triangular shape of it denotes it as a sankaku yari but I see a hamon along the edge, differentiating it from a lot of sankaku yari as I understand a lot of sankaku yari were not sharpened on the edge to slash with? This one clearly looks capable of slashing. I tend to differentiate ashigaru from samurai although I know that in some provinces ashigaru *were* considered samurai. The excellent condition, length of blade and differential hardening (and thus increased expense) and workmanship make me think this was no basic, impoverished ashigaru weapon (or if it was, perhaps it was given to them by a well off master). This is of course all speculation, mostly by the seller. If the original owner ever shows up on my doorstep and lets me know how he got it I'll be surprised (and calling Ghostbusters probably).

Picking up this yari. Information from seller as follows: Yari in Shirasaya (without the Tsuka) Signature : Mumei. Blade length : 26.4 cm or 10.39 inches. Mekugi : 1 Width at the hamachi : 2.49 cm or 0.98 inches. Kasane : 0.83 cm or 0.32 inches. Era : Late Muromachi period. Speculation by the seller is that it was likely samurai owned (due to condition and craftsmanship) and potentially utilized in a scouting unit or from horseback given the slightly smaller size versus some of the much larger blades (the 2' type etc). I really love the shape and workmanship of it and the fuller on one side gives it a very nice look to my eyes. The hamon looks wonderful. Not bad in my opinion for a first nihonto.

Yeah it didn't strike me as a noren, I did consider that though. Thanks Not averse to selling or trading if anyone is interested, feel free to PM me. I'm not married to it just yet. Not actively looking to move it but happy to entertain offers if someone is interested.

Don't have a dowel or anything that will work well but here are some more pics. You can clearly see the pocket plus where the pocket is sewn down the entire side.

Maybe, I'll look.

The entire right side is one large pocket. Not sure what you mean?

Awesome thank you!

I'm looking to make one myself for a reenactment group (casual) and trying to figure out where to source it to make a reasonable looking one without needing to be authentic.

So you could thread it directly onto a pole on the side

That whole right side (in pictures, side we were discussing) is one big pocket for a pole.

Very cool. What sort of rope do you use for them (thickness, material, etc)?

I may get a copy of that yes, thank you. Seems to have fairly marginal reviews for the price commanded though.

Heck, imagine what it cost the original owner!

Beautiful. Love the double bo-hi.

Hello all, I wondered why we see so many different blade lengths of yari over the years. I have seen (only pictures mind you) some that were super short only a few inches long, and some that were ~2-3 feet long give or take. I'm sure part of this was preference of the user as well as ability to afford certain lengths, but did we generally see longer or shorter blades in different capacities? For instance, longer blades used by samurai while shorter blades were used by conscripts, or shorter blades used by recon parties and longer used by cavalry, or any other sort of differences? All the variety really fascinates me.

Thanks everyone for the great input here.

Thank you Malcolm. I have spent a lot of time on his site. Anthony was actually a friend of mine, we spoke at length (online, never met him in person sadly). He even sent me one of his "apprentice" DVDs some years back which has literally thousands of pictures of Japanese armor, both period and recreation as well as some Hollywood stuff. It has been a wonderful study guide.

Hello all, Noticed that *some* suits of armor seem to have a ring around the area in between the shoulder blades give or take higher or lower, and this has a special knot tied into it. A friend of mine called this the "ceremonial knot" or something similar. What is the name of this knot, and is there a history behind it? I assume it is for good luck etc.

Is that fairly accurate as to how it would have looked originally? I didn't realize they were that shiny.

How glossy did kabuto get? I have seen lots of matte variants but also recall seeing some fairly shiny ones.

Yeah I'm just agreeing w/ you. I need to check it this week when I have some free time and clean hands lol.

I know what you meant, thank you for the pictures though...I'll check it in the next few days and get back to you. I would however expect that if it was simply meant to be hung from a wall that the hanging spots would be even. Notice how one side isn't flush against the side of the sashimono...that throws me off because I would think a wall hanger would be set up evenly with the hanging spots.