Natichu

I'm intrigued by this as well, so figured I'd try to bump this thread up. My sense is it's likely an overall impression ("vibe of the thing" for those that like The Castle) rather than a fixed ratio or numerical difference. But would love to hear from those with more experience!

Not in the UK, but I have had Touken Komachi make a couple sword bags for me for a wakizashi in shirasaya and for an iaito. Might be worth shooting them an email. Information in Japanese here: https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_ja_okatanabukuro.html

I very much enjoyed and look forward to any next editions! Thank you!

Hi Ray, If possible, would you mind posting the measurements for this one? Thank you!

I'll let the more knowledgeable folks chime in shortly with the details, but to me that appears to be a tokubetsu kicho certificate for the daisho koshirae (nothing to do with the blades themselves).

Thanks for the clarification; my apologies, I read your post as within the nioiguchi (that is, in the hamon). My misunderstanding.

Fantastic, thank you very much!

Hopefully someone much more knowledgeable than me will be able to chime in (maybe @Ray Singer can expand on the thread linked above, or @Jacques can flesh things out a little once photos are uploaded).

My understanding is that while it cannot be repaired, it is not fatal (see: So long as it is not the hagarami some sources describe as a hagire/crack that turns to run parallel to the edge (caused by impact), but rather a ware (a forging flaw).

I've seen the "Bungo Book" mentioned in a few posts, but have not yet seen mention of the title or author to allow me to track down a copy. Any chance you could provide a reference?

That certainly is a depth of knowledge that I imagine escapes most. Is there a particular smith then, knowledge of whom you'd put at the heart of your learning? Or a unifying theme among the smiths you have chosen to focus on?

Though one wrinkle there - in the item I highlighted earlier, the nakago is described as ubu, but the setsumei makes clear it has been shortened. So while the blade hasn't been shortened or reshaped (and so likely is what it isn't a naoshi) with the nakago moved up, the tail of the tang was cut down. So while ubu, the tang is modified. Is it possible that is the case here?

Unless, of course, they're satisfied that despite modification to the nakago there has been no modification to the kissaki, and so leaving the kaeri, in which case they continue to refer to it as a naginata: https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashibizen-kuni-ukai-ju-unjuthe-16th-nbthk-juyo-token/ Discussed here: Seeems like in the case you're proposing, if they were going to be duped surely they'd be more likely to continue to refer to blade as a naginata simpliciter, rather than as a balde that has undergone naoshi?

@Jacques, I don't think anyone above is arguing against the idea that in many, if not most, cases the naoshi process will mean the kaeri is lost. The rule of thumb is likely that one identifying feature of a naginata-naoshi is the fact the boshi is yakizume. However, what I think is being pointed out is this is not inevitable or universal, as there are examples showing exceptions to the rule. That is, blades that have been determined to be naginata-naoshi by a panel of experts with the blade in hand showing an (admittedly) small kaeri. Can I tell you what the process is that leads to this? Not in any meaningful way (we're both well aware of my very limited knowledge base), though my hypothesis would be this is likely possible based in the exact shape and geometry of the original blade, which could vary significantly while still being a naginata. But I would certainly defer to the opinion of the experts with blade in hand in saying clearly it is possible.

Very much appreciate the guide and all the work that went into it @Rivkin. And if you do go the newsletter route, sign me up!