drbvac

I am glad to hear that the earlier blades were not just used by women and can appreciate the fact that one of these on a 4' shaft would do tremendous damage. I love them all and the one I have is extremely sharp and would really hat to see anyone struck anywhere with it. The added reach would demand a swordsman be very proficient to ward off an attack by naginata weilding samurai.

I wish - No it is in shirasaya. Mei is Dotanuki Matahachi - 1573-1592 I really like the hamon

Nagasa 46.3 cm Nakago 47.1 cm - nice beefy!

I always liked the look of them regardless if it was the weapon for the women. I bought this one a while ago and love it ! Dotanuki

As neat is it looks to me I'd just as soon wait for one from a well known reputable dealer. You must like to gamble if you really want to spend more than $1000.00 for anything on e-bay. That is unless you are buying something that you can compare prices with outside the "bay". :lol:

When I checked it wasnt listed on the US site so now it is on all of them - great ! The koshira will add to the value I am sure and I have always liked KEN and as many were ceremonial and in Shrines I guess that may account for the lack of them for sale. I have a smaller one - well its probably 16" but no koshira.

John: Long way from home !! http://www.pinevilleantiquestation.com/

Why is it on E-bay France and not in North America where the seller lives? Are the french big collectors of Nihonto

Gee Ed: IMHO this is not "the" Gassan Sadakatsu, neither the mei or the blade look as I would expect them to but -

Southern US influence only -

Horses only lift all feet off the ground when they "gather" to put them down to push off again or at the last extension before they pull them all in like: When the hooves are all in the air they are usually all together under the body like this: That said depending on the second one is looking or taking the picture - they can be extended like this !!! I guess like everything else it is perspective more than anatomy and if the horse is not galloping but is pacing or trotting then - all bets are off.

That ends at noon most places but I would really like to hear where Stephen is going with this

Matus: Well on some level the only limit is the money you can spend on the blade and if you have 10-20 grand to spend you have to be fairly careful what you buy - actually the biggest thrill you will EVER get is going to a flee market or yard sale and when people dont know what they have or what its worth - and YOU do cause you have read the books - I bought 10 edged weapons from a dealer who didnt like them cause he had no idea what they were - weird mixture - bayonets, army swords, and an army and navy Kai GUNTO =- GOT THEM ALL for $3000.oo -- he was happy - probably got them for nada - 2 german daggers and the Japanese - I was very happy too and the sale of the Naval Kai paid for the rest . Hard to beat being a knowledgable buyer with a seller wanting some money. That said - if you see one you love and its not over the moon = take it home and love it forever !

Well - how much are you willing to gamble I have imported as "Japanese wall ornament" - oriental decoration" - "movie prop" - "wall hanging" - "metal decortation" and some others that I would rather not share - no duty - no customs - no value - then again for the one they open out of 3000 -

Mateus: You know on one level it is almost like asking a girl friend out - beyond the obvious where guys will tell you that she is really a man at some point you take the plunge and go for it on your own initiative and -- there you are -- you are - you got a blade - love her - your first is always a treat!! Please do not be discouraged by the guys who are only trying to make sure you are happy with what you get ! That said , my first wife is here 40 years later - my first nihonto - no idea where it is !! Some guys thought one of my girl friends was odd but --- There are always good things about everyone

Heres a mounted yari that is only 46" long - blade is 4 1/2" so maybe it is one of the smaller kind for inside a palaquin

Geese you guys - did u just "happen" to be looking at a catalogue from 45 years ago !! OK - wonder what the exact provenance is to the latest owner in 2010 ?? Any chance in a hundred years same smith - same theme - different set? Stuff moves doesn't it !

Jean: Never even looked !! Just read the measurements on the original post and went from there as it seemed much too large for an arrowhead for anything !! That said the "title" is LONG IRON Japanese YARI YANONE YAJIRI ARROWHEAD, probably should add some more just to confuse all ! BB

Jean: Great reference but as I have no interest in yari I wonder if I could beg an answer to the original question? Based on arrowheads I have seen I would tend to agree with KM that this piece is a yari .

Ford: Great memory for previous posts but that is the artists eye for sure - so considering the level of detail in these tsuba are we going to get in to a comparison with the original postings ? Even to my eye, " IMHO" the expertise and detail presented in these is way ahead of the first ones we looked at

Thank you Morita -san. Mark, the link to e-bay is just up isn't it - A friend out west sent the pic to me 3days ago and asked if I knew what it said ? I guess its the same smith - probably the same blade!

I am lost - wondering if anyone has a quick thought No clue - thoguht it may say Kane s tnag.pdf

Corey: Best advice I could give you is set up a nihinto bank account while you are reading and go to the odd gun show, military show, flea markets in your area and you may luck out. no rushing thought you may regret it and if in doubt - run away.

Christmas tree ornament for Nihontophyles

Just watching on CNN as the sun comes up - cars like corks in the tsunami - God bless the people and hope they come through this terrible disaster.