What the heck is this?

[drbvac]

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Old-Unusual-Sh ... dZViewItem

 

Never seen one with the reverse sori with other than a mm or 2 curve. I take it this is either unique or gimei? - Maybe both!

[Brian]

Sometimes called a "headcutter" sword and the myth (is there any truth to it?) is that they were used for taking heads in battle. However I am more inclined to believe one of the other explanations on Dr Rich S's site: http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/unji.htm

Interesting item. I wonder if the mune has been reshaped to give it a point, or if it was made like that?

 

Brian

[Hermes]

I have been watching this one as well Brian, it's called kubikiri "head cutter" (kubigiri) Tanto, here is one like it, but i have my doubts this one is real?

 

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/unji.htm

 

James

[Ford Hallam]

This actually looks real to me. I don't think we should regard it as being related to Nihonto at all though. It would appear to be some more utilitarian sort of tool. Possibly very late Edo period but I reckon more likely Meiji. My instinct suggests a hunters knife. The fittings remind me of German hunting knives and swords too...

 

just my 2 yens worth

[Curran]

Probably flower cutting? Good florists use a short blade sometimes with forward curvature. Grip is held sharp edge facing thumb and they do sort of a sholder pulling motion like rowing when the oar handles are nearest, on the way to cycling the oars farthest. Makes for mean cutting action. I always wait for them to cut their thumbs, but they never do.

[remzy]

Looks like a flower cutter to me.. the linen canva in the lacquer... the antler.. yep, quite outdoor style to me!

[Guido]

Although the tip is pointed, I think it's a variation of a Nata (like the ones I posted in this thread).

[Jean]

A variation of someyhong like this :

 

http://www.e-sword.jp/sale/0710_3031syousai.htm

[Ford Hallam]

Hey, Jean,

 

that example which you linked to would seem to a the perfect choice for the bamboo chopping branch ( pardon the pun ) of the sword world . Finally, an authentic, traditional, bamboo cutter...we should let the Shinkendo practitioners know .

 

fwiw; I'm converted to the gardening tool thesis also, now.

 

Regards, Ford

[Goldy]

I think I'm beginning to see a pattern here Ford...

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/search.php?keywords=shinkendo&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

[Ford Hallam]

Hi Goldy...bugger ...and I thought I was being subtle

 

it's not that I've got anything against tameshigiri, it's just that I love bamboo :D

 

I'm not a big fan of "Lord of the Rings" re-enactment either ( how's that for an oxymoron? : )

 

regards, Ford

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

You can see a very nice nata here

[Guido]

THEIR OWNERSHIP HOWEVER, WAS RESTRICTED TO THE DAIMYO FAMILIES.

Not really ....

[drbvac]

As long as they were flower arrangers I guess it was OK to have one. :lol:

[Guido]

As long as they were flower arrangers I guess it was OK to have one. :lol:

My wife holds a master's degree - and teaches - Ohara-Ryû å°åŽŸæµ Ikebana. She never used, or even heard about Nata being used, in flower arrangement. I, OTOH, have seen (the modern day version) in use by quite a few gardeners. I think we can safely assume that they are strictly gardening tools.

[Nobody]

As long as they were flower arrangers I guess it was OK to have one. :lol:

My wife holds a master's degree - and teaches - Ohara-Ryû å°åŽŸæµ Ikebana. She never used, or even heard about Nata being used, in flower arrangement. I, OTOH, have seen (the modern day version) in use by quite a few gardeners. I think we can safely assume that they are strictly gardening tools.

Not really;

Sometimes manual labor seems to be necessary in flower arrangement.

http://www.kaneshin-seki.com/arrengment%20tool.html

http://www.s-sato.co.jp/seika/f/kad/fre-2.html

[drbvac]

So not only Daimyo but gardeners but not flower arrangers - just joking!

 

I guess in this case they are not nihonto although I have a rough wakizashi that I polished - again roughly- that although not artistic - with a homemade wooden tsuka- is great for cutting tall weeds and small bushes as it is VERY sharp - So I guess I have a gardeners NIhonto and it sure is fun wacking weeds with a blade.

[Brian]

Before you get strung up, you had better clarify that it was tired, not restorable, had fukure, hamon incomplete, retempered, ugly and a write off.....

I hope.

 

Brian

[drbvac]

Well it was mumei, all scratched to hell, no polish, about 5 nicks on the edge and I got it for nothing so -- made a handle and cut weeds. The polish/sharpening to get it to be of any use really got into the core steel - so Its a great weed wacker and I can sneek up on them and swish -- up to 1/2 inch shrubs gone!

[Guido]

Sometimes manual labor seems to be necessary in flower arrangement.

The 花鉈 are quite cute. Next time my wife gets in my hair, I'll rub that little morsel of info in.

[remzy]

Sometimes manual labor seems to be necessary in flower arrangement.

The 花鉈 are quite cute. Next time my wife gets in my hair, I'll rub that little morsel of info in.

Hehe the tool of the trade!? Be careful with what you say as they have loooong memories!

 

edit to clarify: when i said "they", i was refering to gardeners and people arranging flowers, of course...

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Old-Unusual-Shape-Japanese-Sword-Tanto-Dagger_W0QQitemZ120269191813QQihZ002QQcategoryZ95132QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Never seen one with the reverse sori with other than a mm or 2 curve.

 

Its great-great-great-etc.-father :D :