Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini

Tsuruta-San reply.

Yes, nobody said the question was stupid, and was about why *not sign* swords, not about why *sign* it....

Thanks for the clarification, Jacques.

Not placed into Gunto mounting, not damaged by splinter. Maybe even more sad then expected.

Unless there are inscriptions on it (that might have been added later), it's hard to date a Shirasaya. They are re-done periodically, for various reasons. This can mean 20 or 200 years. If you are thinking to check the age of this blade thru the age of the shirasaya, isn't a reliable way.

Gunther, it wasn't joking about your question. It was just a moment of fun among friends. Don't take this in a personal way.

Ted, what about the placing of the original signature and the two mekugiana ? The damage seems caused by a splinter. Any chance the original item was in a Gunto Koshirae during the war ?

I get what you mean... I think that the whole process has been well documented, even with pictures, being made in so recent times so I would surely exclude deceptive intentions. To give an "ancient" look at the Nakago might be a solution, but doesn't entirely satisfy me.

Too late, I've already sent an e-mail with the very same question. If any reply comes back I'll post it here.

Interesting conundrum. Destroying in his "historical shape" (likely already altered) a "Big Name" dead blade to obtain a (possibly) easier to sell one still maintaining the evidences of the original. Thanks to the Lord I'll never be in the position to take such a decision.

Nope Jean. For that there are the "reverse Orikaeshi mei" to be unfolded to reveal the solution. :D

Smith is a monk and doesn't bother (or is not expected) to sign his work, reason that enter in the mentioned by John.

To me looks more like they worked the nakago out from the blade with a grind-wheel. The blade even remind me of an Arisaka bayonet, but does it really matter ? P.S. Stephen beat me 1-0 .

The more I see the more I think it's a good level production for westerner with either a broken Nihonto (my opinion) or a modern made blade (possible too) as tsunagi. Kodzuka possibly of marine ivory.

The presence of a fairly decent habaki (possibly recycled too) seems another attempt to make (or make resembling) this piece something a little over the average tourist's bone-souvenir using available spare parts.

What I was thinking about. Possibly the upper part of a broken katana recycled this way. Still the presence of what looks like Yasurime on a nakago with no mekugiana and what is likely supposed to be or resemble the polisher's signature on a shinogizukuri blade with no Yokote leave me interested in the final outcome on this one...

mmm... not able to see a Yokote and possibly it's tanpanned, but somebody was quiet careful about details on it... How does the scabbard look like in junctions ? If sponge-like is bone, if tight fibers might be ivory. To be sure take a very hot pin and place it on some not-visible part. If the part melts, it's resins, if not is organic. P.S. Sorry, but wouldn't call it "Superb craftmanship", with all respect.

Might be a Bō Shuriken 棒手裏剣 http://www.baskweb.com/site/store/10528 ... uriken.jpg How feels the balance ? Looks ackward. P.S. Not saying it's legit and Ninja related.

Recommended indeed. Link : http://www.amazon.com/Kamikaze-Diaries- ... 083&sr=1-1 Add too "Kamikaze, Cherry Blossoms and Nationalisms", same author, University of Chicago Press, 2002. This one enters the use and strumentalization of traditional esthetic and symbolism as the cherryblossoms http://www.amazon.com/Kamikaze-Cherry-B ... 0226620913 Second one available in italian language too, under the title "La vera storia dei Kamikaze giapponesi" http://www.brunomondadori.com/scheda_opera.php?ID=1502

Thanks Guido.

Hi Guido. I need some input on this. I wonder if this is a modern approach only or if the supposed genesis of the two weapons is indeed wrong. I expect the Naginata to be an evolution of a tool (hence the lack of Yokote) and the "Nagamaki" an evolution of a sword (hence the presence of Yokote), streched to the limit of both lenght and mount till to resemble a Naginata (quite like dolphins and fishes). The mix-up of styles of blades and mounting leading us to the present day-confusion, possibly with the need of clearing up the matter under a single category, "Naginata". Is indeed the genealogy wrong and everything born as Naginata with the Yokote added only with later polishing ?

Hi Gilles. Don't know if this statement is on purpose or not, but you might well be right. A thing not mentioned yet (seems to me) is that Nagamaki has a Yokote, Naginata hasn't.

Here when you get lucky is 10% for antiques. Otherwise 20%.

Piers and John, I'm full of envy. I wantn't even know how much it would cost a shipping to Italy. Right. John's futon would need a custom-made one. :lol:

Yes, thanks. It was a "diplomatic" way to let know others that have not experienced him yet to be careful in such matters.