md02geist

Thank you for your excellent commentary. I agree that it seemed an outlier to me too. It caught my attention due to the shape of it: super shallow sori and quite narrow even down to the hamachi.

Please feel free to comment. I thought this was a very interesting blade particularly due to the length / width. With the shallow sori it almost reminds me of a rapier (I understand that this is not an exact metaphor, just the "feel" it has, no need to correct me on the differences or any of that lol). I have a translation to the shirasaya written down but if anyone wants to speculate on it seeing as some figures are missing feel free! It's my understanding that it denotes ownership of the blade.

Per Aoi: Katana in Shirasaya.(NBTHK Hozon Token) Signature: Mumei(unsigned) attributed as Naminohira. Sayagaki (writing on the saya): Satsuma Hanshi ??? Jinjuro Shoji 2 Shaku 3 Sun Naminohira Senzan(Kao) (Attributes ownership to a samurai named Satsuma Jinjuro) Blade length :69.5cm or 27.36 inches. Sori :0.8 cm or 0.31 inches. Mekugi : 1 Width at the hamachi : 2.3cm or 0.90 inches. Width at the Kissaki : 1.84 cm or 0.72 inches. Kasane : 0.4 cm or 0.15 inches. Era : Early Muromachi period. Shape : The blade is rather thin thickness and width with small sori and longer kissaki. Jigane:Koitame hada and mokume hada mixed with jinie attach and shirake utsuri appear. Hamon:suguha hamon. About the Naminohira school: The founder of Naminohira School was Masakuni who moved from Kyoto to Satsuma province in the10th century. His works rarely survive so Yukiyasu is thought as the substantial founder. The school continuously made swords there until the last Edo period. The 56th of this school was Iwami (No) Kami Yasuharu who reinforced the school in the Shin-to period. His grandson Yamato (No) Kami Yasuyuki learned under Izumi (No) Kami Masafusa. The name Naminohira has synonymous meaning with the glassy surface of the water so water transporters and navy men highly appreciate the sword of this school. The special feature of Naminohira School is its traditional Suguha-hamon and well-grained blackish Jigane. This sword is oosuriage mumei and looks old early Muromachi period. The Jigane is a soft feeling nice texture. Even though, there are some Kitaekizu but not serious.

Perfect, thank you all for the help. Now I have several sources. In case anyone is curious, this is the blade I am considering submitting: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/27114-naginata-naoshi/ I believe it to be a reasonable candidate for shinsa. But I'm still quite new so don't mind my speculation

Hello all! I have a blade I am considering submitting for shinsa to NBTHK. I have never done such a thing before (so please be gentle with guidance), nor will I be traveling to Japan. I am based in the USA. What is the most streamlined way to do this? I have read accounts that certain dealers will handle the transaction for a fee or the like. Any help would be appreciated.

On hold. Thank you.

Hi there, I sent you a PM as stated. It is still available. Please check your inbox; it's the little letter looking icon in the upper left of the bar under "NIHONTO MESSAGE BOARD" and next to your user name.

Sorry for the delay; It's here. I will PM you. It is still available.

I'll take 200 USD for it.

Still available. Please note the prices on their page: https://www.takehiko.co.jp/?mode=f7

50s or so vintage. Excellent condition, handmade sterling silver. Comes with book of authenticity, in original glass and wood container with cloth stand. Asking 250 shipped in the continental United States. Price includes insurance. These go for much, much more purchased directly from Takehiko.

Thanks for the input. Anyone like to hazard a guess at school or time period?

Very great discussion here. I think we can reach a consenus at least in that it is a sort of a naoshi, old, and probably worth a proper shinsa.

That’s all pretty great info. Not sure where all it leads us at this point though.

Also y'all are correct; the boshi does not turn back. I apologize, my lighting was insufficient and I thought I saw something I didn't. All discussion and pointing out of stuff is very much welcome to me. I'm still only a little bit into learning so I have a long ways to go.

I would very much agree that what is now the nakago was at one point part of the blade; positioning of the hi as you state seems to indicate this to me, as it goes well below the habaki. I wonder if it was a blade damaged or broken at some point, and but the upper portion of a fairly longer blade salvaged or similar. To my eyes (please feel free to comment if you see differently) it looks koto to me rather than a stylish Edo naoshi. In addition, despite the sayagaki saying Rai it seems *to me* (and to a few others who have looked at it) to look very Naminohira. The shape of it does to my eyes look like a partial Kamakura naginata, although obviously cut down and/or modified. Thoughts?

Not sure of any modification as it's a pretty old blade by mine and a few others estimation. The boshi does turn back as normal, it's just not particularly visible in the pictures. You can somewhat see it in the middle picture of the second post, top line of pictures.

A few more pictures. Sayagaki says Rai, but written by unknown so I don't take it into account.

Recently purchased, presented for your enjoyment.

Rented it and watched it today. I thought it was phenomenal. The "filler" you mention is really only filler from an already-educated person's perspective. Otherwise it's "education."

Here is one of the trailers for it.

Thanks for posting that. I was coming here today to do so. Here’s to hoping it’s decent.

Unsure, Carlo. Here’s the press release.

Short update; Gravitas Ventures has purchased the rights to the film and it is slated for open worldwide video on demand, Blu-ray, and dvd release on July 31, 2018. They did a press release today.

Still available.