nagamaki - Franco

hi Bill, It might be suggested looking into joining the NYC sword study group, if you're genuinely interested in learning about nihonto. http://www.ny-tokenkai.org/ Take things slow and learn first, there's a lot to know.

hi, it is difficult to tell with any certainty what this sword might be from these pics. However, it has a "kanbun period shape " (do a search). Unwrapping the handle was a , but nothing that can't be properly restored. Additional closeup pics of the tsuba and the other fittings ?? (fuchi, kashira, menuki) might be helpful.

don't tell me you haven't received one his threatening email tirades in response?

Hi Peter, pics of munemachi? pics of mune from above kissaki looking down?

Hey Carlo, well, it sure took you long enough to find it now, when it comes to things nihonto there are almost always exceptions to every rule to be discovered. but, maybe not so fast the real question is, is that a double sided kozuka that found a ko gatana or a ko gatana that found a double sided kozuka?

Sorry, but that cannot be comparison. Unfortunately the chiseled name is Mitsumori (光守) which is another name of Keijo (桂乗). Koichi Moriyama san, respectfully, you're missing the point of my post which I believe (hope) Barry has picked up on. Tosogu are no different from swords when it comes to the work confirms the signature and not the other way around. Thank you none the less and please continue pointing such things out as you never know when i might be half asleep at this hour of the AM.

Hi Barry, for comparison http://world.choshuya.co.jp/gallary/goto/14mitsumori/kozuka16th.htm

Hi, the better saya and habaki artisans are quite capable of doing this work properly. Whether they will or not probably depends on how busy they are.

Hi M, R, my "guess" is going to be sumi zogan based on the materials involved and finished effects of having that painted on look.

A 2- 3 mm bent tip or even if broken is not a fatal flaw in itself and can be corrected in polish, as long as there remains a sufficient boshi. A boshi that after being corrected might run too close to the edge (not good) or actually runs off the edge (fatal flaw) is of real concern. Of course an original boshi is preferable. There was a previous discussion about altered boshi, including drawn in changes. If not mistaken it was initiated by Darcy, perhaps you could do a search.

Hi Simon, nothing about the way this nakago looks raises an alarm at this point. As for corroded, that would be assuming it was finished with strong yasuri to begin with. This is simply the manner in which this nakago was finished at the time. In fact it's a credit to this smiths skill and should not be taken as a "deliberate act" attempting to fool someone. The tokuho papers, if correct and I have no reason to believe they are not at this point, confirm that. The more we see, the more we learn, hopefully. Still, don't drop your guard PS looking with fresh AM eyes, i now suspect this nakago may have been repatinated (opinion). Still, if that is the case, as long as it is done in a proper manner and not intending to fool, it's acceptable.

hi, typical of a kitchen knife handle.

Hi, it is very difficult to find a true to shape shinshnto copy of an early koto sword, congratulations. The steel definitely looks shinshinto. This sword would be a good test of kantei skills.

hi, another consideration in selecting kosirae is the correct size for each of the pieces in relationship to the sword as well as the other pieces, including tsuka, saya. also, selecting a common theme, like Soten, will not necessarily ensure a nicely coordinated finished product. It's usually never easy.

If possible, whenever having a shirasaya made talk to the sayaishi about the conditions in your area before hand. Sometimes adjustments are still needed afterwards. Come early winter check the habaki fit into the saya and nakago into the tsuka. For example, here in the NE US, the habaki needs to be about 1/3 of the way out come November, or else it's see you again in the spring. One problem is if it is allowed to get too tight, eventually the saya might split.

one less expensive option for consideration is having a "window opened" by a qualified polisher to get a better view of the hamon and activity. This might also help in determining whether a full polish is warranted in the future.

In reality what we collect is beyond our control, cause "it's the sword that finds the owner," in the end. Think about it, Milt and his Bungo, Ken with his Mantis, Rich and his sukashi, maybe the gravitational attraction is so strong in these cases, I wonder if they're actually metamorphosing This also means for some, if they're not careful, they will become the Sisyphus of posservice. tongue n cheek, TGIF

Hi Rich, Deron, all, As a wise man writes, we create our own reality. Of course we get plenty of help creating our collecting reality from the folks on the auction sites. Especially, when it comes to the availability of mediocre nihonto and tosogu items. Yes, there seems to be a lot of money being spent upon mediocrity these days. Which is fine, after all we must live within our means, right? Secondly, if we look and collect mediocre items long enough, they actually begin to look pretty darn good to our own eyes, and what's wrong with that? Thirdly, it means never having to cross that scary psychological barrier of having to gain the knowledge necessary that it takes to buy an outstanding piece, phew! Speaking of spending serious money , its also a lot easier spending mediocre sums 20 times instead of spending it all at once, easier to explain it to the wife too! Hmm, and then there is that 20:1 issue, and one item gets boring so very quickly, even if it is an outstanding piece. And, besides, spouting off a 20 is a lot more impressive to the friends. "Here today, here tomorrow!"

fyi http://www.touken.or.jp/english/sword_forging_competition_2006.html

http://www.samurai-archives.com/

What confuses me is this statement: simple 2 AM typo, should and does read; .... a more standard-shaped blade is called a nagamaki.

Hi, I think I heard the theory about a naginata-hi somewhere on this board before. But I cannot believe the difinition. Does anyone know where and what Kokan Nagayama sensei really said about that theory? Hi, What Kokan Nagayama sensei does say (paraphrasing); further, now humbly eating crow, as I seem to have my sources confused. While Kokan Nagayama sensei does mention a "distinctive carved groove" in defining a naginata, he does not use it to differentiate between the two, and his diagrams clearly labeled "nagamaki" depict a naginata hi.

Again, Kokan Nagayama sensei defines the difference between a nagamaki and a naginata by the presence of a naginata hi, there is no other mention of shape or length as being a factor, which is in itself significant. He does mention the addition of a yokote, which would not be original to a nagamaki nor a naginata, as giving it a katana or wakizashi designation depending upon the length. A yokote does not enter into the equation otherwise. The question being raised by the "description" written in the caption of the Masamitsu http://japantrip.tripod.com/Japan/osafune2.html as a nagamaki, is the fact that it differs from what Kokan Nagayama sensei wrote in his book. That is why I'm asking if perhaps, the only difference between a nagamaki and naginata is the "mounting? ty

This piece seems deserving of polish and paper from the images. Looking forward to hearing how it turns out? While on the subject, it seems that nagamaki (naoshi), at least in some cases, are being papered by the NBTHK as naginata (naoshi), and not nagamaki. This raises the thought that perhaps the term "nagamaki" refers more to the mounting, and that nagamaki are considered a pole arm in the same manner as a naginata, otherwise. Would anyone care to ask Mr. Tanobe san to get this clarified? The descriptions and swords imaged in the following link seem to add to the notion of "nagamaki = mounting type", as the Masamitsu katana is described as a "nagamaki", despite clearly having a "naginata hi". http://japantrip.tripod.com/Japan/osafune2.html

please explain, ty?