Natichu

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!

While I'm too new to say in terms of the blades (which to me look somewhat tired/out of polish), I have to imagine you're going to be paying a significant premium for daisho koshirae even if it's only of middling quality (not saying this is a true daisho obviously, but rather a matched set of koshirae). Is that where you'd like to allocate your funds? No problem at all if it is, but I think it's just important to be aware of where the money is going to ensure you're getting the best bang for your buck. So to me the more important question (something I'm constantly trying to ask myself) is what is it that you want to buy, and why does this option fulfill whatever criteria it is that you've set? I think the usual advice to us beginners is to take our time, develop our knowledge base and delve into some specific areas of interests, and buy to further those interests. If all you want is antique blades in koshirae for an ok price, that isn't a problem or anything to be scoffed at. With hobbies sometimes it's nice just to feel like you have a bit of skin in the game, learn what you can, and see where that takes you. But I think it would help the more knowledgeable people here (read: definitely not me) in giving you advice to understand what it is you hope to get out of making a purchase.

I would add Token Komachi as well, plenty of swords in more reasonable price range, and Ms. Tsukada is excellent to deal with and speaks very good English. She is also highly responsive to emails. English listings here: https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tachi&katana.html If you're following for updates of new additions, best to do so in Japanese: https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index.html Yes, there is the concern around lead time from Japan, but it is what it is.

To that end, bonsai wire comes in long spools, is nicely malleable, and is often somewhat readily available. Likely to be much better to work with than a wire hanger.

The book arrived the day before yesterday. All told a very welcome addition to my library. Certainly more advanced than the more beginner texts I have, but lots to learn from it. Thus far, I'd certainly recommend it (particularly at the price point of the digital edition).

A current auction listing for a TH wakizashi I assume is the smith in question, with a reasonably good picture of the nakago: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2025/important-Japanese-swords-and-armour-from-the-paul-l-davidson-collection/a-wakizashi-signed-izumi-no-kami-fujiwara-kunisada

Thank you very much for that info. I hadn't heard of the book, so this was all news to me. While it does look like it's available digitally, I felt I'd prefer a physical copy so emailed Me-no-me. I heard back from them within the hour, and have a copy on the way to me shipped out the same day I ordered. Absolutely excellent experience thus far!

While I have no experience with him, I have often looked at the goods offered by @Artur DrogaMiecza here through his Flickr page: Some lovely koshirae seems to be available on occasion (including a wakizashi one I'm now sad I didn't pick up!)

Many thanks for the insight @Jussi Ekholm, I'll have to pick your brain at some point on the naginata front as at some point I'd like to pick one up! I'd have to agree, with such a short nakago it doesn't seem likely they'd still be viable as a polearm. Good to know that the terminology shifts, and it isn't a precise science as it were.

That was certainly my impression! I didn't see anything about the kissaki being reshaped in the setsumei, but I don't think my Japanese is up to the task one way or the other.

Thank you for the reminder on that point. It seems like one needs to simply get used to "the vibe of the thing" (for those that have watched The Castle), and take a blade on its own terms, rather than worrying too much about the words attached.

Even more interesting that both the nakago and kissaki have been reshaped (presumably to facilitate use as a wakizashi) and yet it still remains a naginata sans naoshi, as it were. Many thanks to you and @Geraint for shining some light on this!

Many thanks all. Clearly I have a lot of learning to do, but this is an interesting starting point as I have a strong interest in naginata and naginata-naoshi. @Jacques, are you able to provide any snippets of the zufu where this is listed as a wakizashi? Would that be a bit of a rarity for it to be listed differently than in the origami? I've never had the chance to see the zufu before (unless the page I've added above is from those books, in which case my apologies for misunderstanding!).