Tensho

I have the book "Samurai weapons" and to be honest, most of the stuff in there looks worse than what's listed on eBay. I don't know the author, but the way he speaks about Yari being "Cheap and Inexpensive to manufacture " makes me roll my eyes.

Thanks Dale. This is what I was trying to understand. I have owned 2 swords "captured" during WWII in civilian mounts with cast iron Tsuba that matched the theme of the rest of the fittings. My guess is they were around late edo period, but the talk on here makes it sound like these castings are post WWII.

I keep hearing that cast tsuba are "modern" copies. When exactly are people speculating these were made?

I had a sword stolen 2 years ago. Not sure what ever happened as I got my money back from seller. Only item I ever had not show up from USPS. As was mentioned only way I would ship something of Value would be Registered. If that goes missing "someone" has some serious explaining to do.

Are the seppa original to the sword? These are all made in different thicknesses. Even fractional differences make a difference.

Not to mention its been sold and re-listed 4 times now.

Yup, typical of these Japanese sellers. "Staining" usually means rust that has been removed by the sellers that leaves discoloration/pitted steel. . I have seen it many times and when you ask them about it they often become quite rude. And if you're lucky they'll block you(ask me how I know) I can see that rust has been cleaned off this blade near the Habaki, and of course there is no detailed pictures of these questionable spots. This is just one of the things I noticed. If you're interested in buying from these sellers look at all the pictures carefully. If anything looks strange assume it is. And if you ask for more pictures and they make excuses don't waste your time. Most of them are only out to make money. Theres a new seller on the bay to watch out for as well.

Funny, I bought another book from someone who had this as well. I skipped out on buying it for $50 while thinking I'd have no interest in it. Now that my interest has broadened I wish I had bought it. Thanks for all the replies. I'll try to snag one in the states.

This talk will not go over well on here...

Thanks for the reply. Is this the copy you have?

I'm looking to pick up a copy of this and wondering if anyone can chime in on a couple questions. 1) Is it really worth the price? $100+ 2) Does it have a lot of details about Yari, or is it basic info that can be found online. 3) There seems to be 2copies. The original with a Samurai holding Naginata and a newer version with a bare Naginata blade and battle in background. Are these identical still? Thank you.

This is a Chinese fake. I would suggest reading here for some basic knowledge of what to look for. http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/repro.htm

How long is the nakago? I'm assuming around 12cm? Here I go contradicting myself. This is one of my dozen+ Yari. Retains the original nakago. Nagasa 14.5cm Nakago 18.7cm. Mei is 4.5cm below the kerakubi and last kanji 3.5cm above the mekugi-ana. I have them signed above and below mekugi-ana. Nakago tapers down to a thin taper which is common on every yari i have. I have it mounted as a te-yari.

Everything he sells is coming out of Japan because no one is interested in them there, but westerners will buy them. Also, I could have sworn I saw this blade listed for sale a while back already and it sold? Having said all that, I have bought from him. And he sells exactly what is pictured from what I can tell. I bought an item from him that I was not completely happy with, which was an impulse buy, and wishful thinking on my part. I asked to return it and he said no problem, and offered to send me a return label(but I opted to pay myself as it was really my mistake) as far as the notorious ebay sellers go, I'd trust him a lot more.

I completely agree. A Yari with a short nakago is useless for a mounted spear. You're just asking for the Ebu to get broken unless its extremely reinforced with steel bands etc.. Just look at Yanone, the nakago is usually at least 3x longer than the head and these are just arrows. I wish there was more discussion/resources about Yari to go on. They do seem to be getting more popular though, so who knows?

The problem with nakago sizes of yari.

You people make me laugh when you debate "drilled vs punched" watch some videos on smiths punching holes out of steel bars. They're darn near perfectly circular. If anything, the drilled holes are the buggered up ones. Anyone that says they can tell you 100% that its drilled or punched is full of themselves.

Realistically, you will never be able to say that a yari was used as an uchi-ne unless it comes mounted as such, and you can verify the mountings as being original. If what is true anything under 19cm was used. This is pretty standard Yari blade size. A few pictures of broken mounts I have seen show the nakago going all the way to the end of the fletching. So even basing it on nakago size wouldn't be of much help.

I got lost when they talked about European swords being pinned on either side of the hilt aside from small swords which are threaded and peened to the pommel I guess all my historical replica longswords that are peened to the pommel are wrong..haha Anyways, I don't understand their reasoning at all as far as new koshirae. And I am confused why "some" swords have more than one mekugi-ana, while others only have one. Surely, the tsuka and fittings have all been replaced at least once. I have never drilled through an old nakago, but have on modern made and I can assure you, you need a great quality bit. There is NO reason a tsuka maker cannot make a new tsuka to match the original nakago/mekugi-ana if you have all the fittings(tsuba, seppa, habaki and fuchi) I'm sure some of us all have a few seppa that are all different sizes. Same can be applied here. A thicker tsuba or fuchi means thinner seppa etc.. You think they would've asked some Japanese swordsmiths about the mekugi-ana and the spacing.

Interesting to start seeing several of these Showato coming out of Japan. Their views/laws must be changing drastically on these..

Kogatana looks like it was made from a steak knife. I owned one, looked identical to yours. Was part of a victorian era knife set in display box. Real Japanese Kozuka with different blade. Circled the part in red that they all seem to have. Won't comment on anything else other than the mekugi-ana looks "freshly" drilled. Unless I'm mistaken you can see the raised burr around the hole, even something clinging to it.

It has to be the first one. Searching "Ushu" has pulled up similar looking mei. Now to try and find out if I can find a omi yari to match.

This is what I see. Doesn't make sense to me. Theres at least 3 more kanji after it but very spaced out and hard for someone who knows nothing to point out.

Help appreciated. Probably something simple I'm not seeing. Don't say Soshu.... rest are almost all corroded away. Maybe I'll have something to search for? Thank you.

Haha. Must be used for cleaning this. In all reality its a war club. If you look closely you can see the leather thong wrapping around the stone to secure it. Not sure why anyone would think the items in the photo are a Japanese sword? I know nothing about Native american history but a quick search can find similar items actually used by them. The "ceremonial pipe" may actually be a riding crop. I may be mistaken on that. Wish I could see whats being talked about on Facebook, but I'm not making an account.