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Showing results for tags 'nagamaki'.
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So, as I mentioned on another thread, I recently bought the book 槍薙刀入門 (Introduction to the Yari and Naginata) - in an attempt to find a better / more authoritative reference than most of the English speaking (especially web) sources. So far: 1. The book very clearly makes no distinction between Naginata and Nagamaki etc. The latter, as often explained, is just a koshirae choice. It goes on to talk about _naka_maki (where only the central part of the tsuka is wrapped) and a few other types - but the takeaway is basically any long sword, on a long pole is a Naginata. 2. Heian to Kamakura, Naginata were considered to be powerful battlefield weapons, with nagasa up to 5 shaku, with examples of a 3 shaku blade being referred to as a ko-naginata (small naginata). 3. From the Nambokucho period, the wide body / bulging head / strong curvature style appeared, and generally became more ostentatious. By the Muromachi period, the large naginata of the previous period disappeared. 4. From the Momoyama period, sizes became more "usual" (it doesn't state exact what size this is, so I'm inferring around 2 shaku?). It also says shorter works, around 1 shaku and 2-3 bu were produced as "wives Naginata". 5. During the Edo period, Naginata became more popular among women and children of samurai families rather than samurai. It also says that Naginata were always carried as part of a wedding ceremony (in some sources, as part of a dowry). 6. Towards the end of the Edo period is considered to be a renaissance period, where Naginata from around the Nambokucho period were reproduced. All the above is subject to only coming from a single source, and may be victim to my translation abilities. If I get time later, I'll post some of the original Japanese (subject to fair-use of copyright limitations).
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First off, I hope those of you at the Chicago show are having a great time on day 1. Hope to make it to one once I am back State-side. For those of us stuck at home, as promised the last in the series and it is for the Soshu crowd -- This sword is an osuriage wakizashi which appears to be a Nanbokucho-period naginata/nagamaki-naoshi. With ato-bori bo-hi and the kaeri looks intact to me. Although a commenter did think it was rather a shobu zukuri tanto or ko-wakazashi. It has itame jihada with nie arcing out of the hamon becoming chikei in the ji. The hamon is midare, with some gonome-midare. Like the Bizen in #2 I do plan to send this to NBTHK shinsa once global shipping is more reliable and will update the thread then. This was also featured on the forum for purchase so some of you may have seen glimpses of it before (hint hint to those looking for a first piece, some great deals here on the NMB with some patience ). Again credit to @Ray Singer for the better photos. to everyone for taking a look, I hope the series provided some examples of various smiths and traditions until we can all get out and view more swords comfortably again. Nagasa: 41.1cm moto-haba: 31mm 7mm thick at the shinogi The sword has two old attributions: an early 1962 green paper to Naoe Shizu and an old sayagaki from Honami Koson to Sa Kunihiro. (Those are lights reflected int he boshi along the edge...)
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Dear all, I am looking for a Japanese sword in good condition (with its original dimensions, thus not over polished) from the Bakumatsu period along with its original koshirae. I need a textbook example, that is to say that the nakago must be quite long (well over 20 cm) and the nagasa must be over 75 cm. The sword must be signed and dated between 1854 and 1864. I am not looking for a specific or well known swordsmith, just an average to good one. The sword I am looking for must have been made for real combat. Usually, those swords are found with a shallow sori can be quite heavy and rather clumsy to yield, nevertheless, some are quite elegant (both type welcomed). If you have one for sale, please contact me by PM.
