groyn

I’ve just acquired a Koa Isshin Mantetsu and noticed the emblem on the saya kabutogane. Is this standard? I’ve not seen it before on other gunto saya. It has a Captain’s (I think) tassel. I’d also be grateful if anyone could tell me if the tsuka is correct as I’m not 100% sure it’s original to this blade. Some seppa also appear to be missing. What would I need to complete the set? The nakago is quite corroded but I can make out xxx Isshin Man xxx tsukuru kore and Sho xxx Kanoto Mi (very faint) xxx. Unfortunately@Bruce Pennington the mune is too corroded to identify any markings whatsoever. Roy

I recently received my two naginata (blades and poles) via Parcel2Go by the auctioneer (UK), but I believe they were covered by the auctioneer's insurance. I was then going to use Parcel2Go again to ship the poles (no blades) to Cornwall for restoration and was interested to see in their T&Cs that they do not ship weapons of any kind, so I guess the auctioneer and I got lucky. I'm currently looking at Secursus for insurance, to ship the poles (or perhaps blades/other "antiques" in future) with Parcelforce. Ideally though, I would now really prefer to deliver and collect myself if possible, hence my post in General Discussion enquiring about restorers within reasonable driving distance of London. Roy

Hi, Is there anyone in the UK who can restore the Mother of Pearl inlay in my naginata poles? Preferably within reasonable driving distance of London as I'd prefer not to post/courier if possible. Grateful for any pointers. Many thanks. Roy

Hi Jussi, Thank you for your thoughts. I got the Chu-Jo ranking from the listing on Sho-shin.com, but if he's not in Fujishiro, I'll accept that he's perhaps even less well known than already supposed Meanwhile, I have received the link below from another member via DM. It's a papered Hozon katana signed the same way by the nidai smith and the carving of the characters is so different that I think it pretty much confirms mine as gimei, especially with the wrong date thrown in. https://www.seiyudo.com/ska-060320.htm I don't think I'll bother going down the route of mei removal/polish/shinsa, though I might consider just a polish. It has a nice-looking boshi and hamon. Regards, Roy

Thanks for the compliment Ken . It's great that the forum can expand on anybody's efforts so as to build a clearer picture of a blade. And I agree, I can't see anyone devoting so much effort to faking this "lower-rated" (chu-jo) smith. Regardless, it's a lovely thing to have, especially as it's mounted full-length, so definitely a keeper! Roy

Dear Geraint, Thank you very much for your very helpful reply. My thoughts were similar but you've expressed the issues far better than I could have. The 39 year gap is a long one and without further info coming to light, it may as you suggest, be down to a shinsa panel. It is, as you kindly say, a lovely naginata and it may be worth the polish/shinsa route. Before that however, the (lovely, period, full length) pole it is mounted on needs the raden and fittings on the tachiuke restored and that'll be the focus for now. I might post it in a new thread to enquire about potential restorers in the UK. Meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy the blade as it is...... :) Regards, Roy

Hi, I would be grateful for the community's thoughts. A friend kindly translated the mei (Fujiwara Naoshige) and date (1665) on my naginata, as shown in the photos. However, ref. Markus Sesko and Nihontoclub (screenshots), the style of the mei ("Oite Nan Ki Fuji Wara Nao Shige") seems to indicate the Nidai smith (Hoei 1704-1711). If mine is dated Kanbun 1665, it should be the Shodai smith (1661-1673) and it seems the style of the mei should be "Ki Shu Ju Fuji Wara Nao Shige Saku" Does this make it more likely to be gimei, or is there a reasonable explanation for the inconsistency? Many thanks for your help. Roy

Thank you Luis, very helpful. Interesting re:Apple vinegar, just warm or actually hot? And what would you use to neutralise it? Roy

Hi Luis, As a novice, may I ask what one would expect to see? Is it simply that the tempered edge would mark the coin? There is no danger of damaging the blade edge by doing this? Roy

Usagiya have a useful section on blade grooves. They suggest the short grooves near the tang are prayer-related or representations of Buddha. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/grooves.html Roy

Thank you Paul and everybody else for the replies. Although I'm not the OP and not looking to get anything polished anytime soon, I have found it all helpful. Roy

Hi all, this is my first post since joining in August. I'm new to nihonto, and I would be interested to know of any sword polishers in UK too. Roy