GetFuzzy2 Posted December 22, 2013 Report Posted December 22, 2013 Greeting I stand here before you guys with no clue what I'm looking at. A good friend of mine knows i like to collect military antiques, so he told me he has some sort of Japanese Polearm that his dad took out of a abandoned house here in the states before it was demolished. I asked him to take some pictures and send them my way. So here are the pic's, here are my questions, is it real, why the gold color, is the signature real, is it a real item that was latter gold plated, and how much should I offer my friend for this item if it all checks out? Thanks for your time Death Before Dismount Quote
Gilles Posted December 22, 2013 Report Posted December 22, 2013 Hello, You seem to have here a real signed naginata in its original length. The picture of the signature is taken too far to be readable and the other pictures are I'm afraid a little blurred which does not help us to have a better opinion. I see some varnish (which is for you the gold colour) on the blade which may be the result of the spraying of a protective coating like Rustoil. The point of this blade seemed to be rusted and was perhaps not enough protected or may have lost its protective coating. Close up of the two side of the point will tell if it is bad or not. To conclude, as a naginata collector I like the shape of that blade but I can't give you a definitive opinion unless you post other pictures. Hope it helps. :D Quote
John A Stuart Posted December 22, 2013 Report Posted December 22, 2013 Yes, definitely worth checking out personally. Maybe your friend can get some closer sharper pics. Looks like it is in a very original state. John Quote
Brian Posted December 22, 2013 Report Posted December 22, 2013 Agree with Gilles. A real naginata that has been varnished. There is a recent thread on removing varnish...just search for varnish. Don't clean anything else once you get it, that would be up to a professional restoration. Can't read the signature yet...try and get a better pic. As to what to offer him for it, that's a difficult one. You need to get better pics of any issues such as pitting, bends, nicks, cracks etc. Otherwise you are buying blind. Nice lines...I would purchase it if I were you and his price was reasonable. Brian Quote
Toryu2020 Posted December 22, 2013 Report Posted December 22, 2013 Looks like Higo Dotanuki - Count me as another one very curious to see more of this wonderful find... -t Quote
Tcat Posted December 22, 2013 Report Posted December 22, 2013 Vern, that looks like a very nice blade. In order for us to get a scale of its size could you possibly provide measurements? Of most interest would be total length of the blade and tang, then the length of the sharpened edge (this is measured from tip of the blade to base of habaki in a straight line). Thickness and width would be interesting also! Real, and original for sure, should be very nice indeed after professional restoration. Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted December 22, 2013 Author Report Posted December 22, 2013 I just want to say thanks for all the great input and knowledge, this is a great site and I look forward to posting other items I have. I'm looking to buy this item from an old Army friend of mine, so I'll be seeing him in mid January and if I get the item I'll post better pics. Thanks again Death Before Dismount Quote
cisco-san Posted January 13, 2014 Report Posted January 13, 2014 Hi Vern, do you already have new pics? Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted February 10, 2014 Author Report Posted February 10, 2014 Well I got the peace back home after drill yesterday. I'm a little tired still so I just took some pic's which stink but I figured you guys could take a look and tell me what you think, and maybe who made it. I did my best to take a few pic's of the the spine, from thick to thin to thick at the tip, and the tip is more stained than pitted, not nicks or cracks. The cutting edge is 22 1/4 inches and 42 inches over all. Tell me what you want to see clearer and I'll take new pic's in natural light in a few days. Enjoy Death Before Dismount Quote
ROKUJURO Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 Vern, first thing: get the cat out of the bed. Then take some close-up photos of the tang with the signature, avoiding reflections. If inside the house, try with light from the side, the signature is clear enough so you need no special tricks. Use daylight, if possible, but not bright sunshine. The pictures seem to show a really nice NAGINATA. Shape is o.k. but the damages of the tip might be a problem. To help you, well focused, sharp photos are needed. Quote
Toryu2020 Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 How about Higo Dotanuki Matahachi saku? 肥後同田貫又八作？ cool stuff keep those pics coming - this i think will be a neat exercise... -t Quote
Jacques Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 Hi, When oi try to open the link of the pictures i get this : The selected attachment does not exist anymore.The file ./../files/4871_25ae9d7aa825ea6851929e8b191b1c3e does not exist. Quote
Brian Posted February 11, 2014 Report Posted February 11, 2014 Yes...during the downtime today when they moved servers I think something went wrong. I am investigating. Brian Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Posted February 12, 2014 Hope this helps. Death Before Dismount Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Posted February 12, 2014 A few more. Death Before Dismount Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Posted February 12, 2014 Saku the signature on the tang you posted looks very similar to my untrained eyes. Who's is it, and what time period? Like I said before if you need more pics just ask, I'm home today smoking cigars and relaxing. Death Before Dismount Quote
Alex A Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 Some info on Dotanuki here Vern. http://nihontoclub.com/schools/Dotanuki http://www.sho-shin.com/sai18.htm Masakuni not your guy but still some interesting information. http://www.samuraisword.com/nihontodisp ... Nobuyoshi/ Ps. 作 Saku=Made. Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted February 12, 2014 Author Report Posted February 12, 2014 Thanks for the links. Also can someone help me with this? Its on the spine of the tang. Death Before Dismount Quote
drbvac Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 IMHO the blade is gimei although once cleaned up it may look pretty good Quote
Alex A Posted February 12, 2014 Report Posted February 12, 2014 I was wondering about that myself. Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 Why is there writing on the spine of the tang near the blade? Also I know its a long road to clean the blade (professionally), but where could I start, and would it be worth the cost? Also is there a non invasive way to remove that gold colored coat on it? Death Before Dismount. Quote
runagmc Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 Hi Vern, inscriptions on the nakago mune aren't common, but are seen sometimes.. About the gold stuff coating the blade... read here---> viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17639 Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 Adam thanks for the link. When I remove the varnish I'll post new pic's. Thanks again. Death Before Dismount Quote
runagmc Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 That will be good... then we will hopefully be able to tell better what you have, and what you should do with it... The shape looks pretty crisp, which is always a good sign, so maybe it will end up nice... Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 Before I do anything wacky I was thinking of using this stuff http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klean-Strip- ... ifications What do you guys think....... Death Before Dismount Quote
drbvac Posted February 13, 2014 Report Posted February 13, 2014 NO -nope - you just want to soften the vanish and wipe rather than scrape it off - this stuff will take paint off down to bare metal and may very well etch the metal if there is any acid or alkali in it. There are links on here not long ago about taking off varnish - follow along - you really do not want to do anything that will alter the blade itself in any way. Quote
GetFuzzy2 Posted February 13, 2014 Author Report Posted February 13, 2014 Ok, will not use that stuff. I'll just use paint thinner, cotton swabs. Death Before Dismount Quote
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