nagamaki - Franco

The blade length is fairly typical for an Edo period naginata, now naoshi. The kissaki has been reshaped with a yokote added in addition to the shortened nakago. Doubtful this was ever mounted as a nagamaki which is what defines a nagamaki, rather it was most likely originally pole mounted as a naginata. Thanks for sharing. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/32/59/93/32599399acba057de68374ef58cefc3b.jpg http://japantrip.tripod.com/Japan/osafune2.html

Stephen, It seems that you have answered your own question, except you're not willing to accept the answer.

Hello Stephen, Surely you are not suggesting some of the top polishers ever known missed something as important as a distinct feature in some of the most significant swords ever made. Stephen, surely you are not suggesting that sword smiths from the time of Masamune who have devoted their life to reproducing the great works of the masters that came before missed something as significant as a distinct feature in the steel of some of the most significant swords ever made. Stephen, after just a few minutes in conversation with the polisher of the last sword I had restored it quickly became clear that he knew by heart every square millimeter of that sword.

Hello Joe, No worries, not meant to pick on you, just pointing out forum rules. Yes, without knowing what the sword is that is a problem. In which case there are a number of ways to go about it including 1) auction, 2) list with a dealer, 3) set a price and make it subject to best offer. Another alternative is to learn more about your sword, but that will mean time, money, and comes with some additional risk.

Pardon, if this or any other sword is for sale I think it is only proper that it be listed in the for sale section with a price. This PM with a fair offer is a bit sketchy, imo.

Hello, just a quick observation, the nakago-jiri on the wakizashi appears to be finished in a Kaga style, an interesting point from which to do further research.

Stephen, thank you for bringing attention to ogi-ba, a new sword term and feature for myself. It's always a good thing to be reminded just how skillful and controlled the better smiths were.

Hello Stephen, Though uncertain having gone through the Masamune catalog there is an oshigata of one tanto on page 76 with what may be an upright Ogi-ba. It is interesting in that it stands alone above the suguha portion of the hamon. See what you think?

Hello Wah, Will be glad to look through the Masamune catalog and post/respond accordingly, if you could please post an image of the illustration of that of what you're seeking. Thank you.

Hello, I believe the answers to your question can all be found in Fred's detailed write up.

Hello Ed, All, Advice can work both ways. Keep in mind that with opinions the person giving is not at risk, nor necessarily willing to take their own advice. Yes, please pass the salt.

Hello Darius, Core steel coming and showing through is a matter of how thick the outer skin steel is and how much it has been polished down. Some blades are known to have a thinner skin steel and in fact it is not surprising to see signs of shintetsu on such blades from being polished down over time. As a sword owner or potential buyer one should be informed as to what this means on the particular sword in question. Fear of shingane? Fear? No. At least not as long as you have a clear understanding of what you're seeing and what it means for the future of the blade in terms of polish. Further, be aware that some ware can be made tighter by a good polisher depending on the surrounding steel and location, while some ware will open up even more when the blade is put to stone.

Hello Darius, Wondering if you realize that in a number of images 7403, 7397 in particular that shintetsu is showing?

Hello, perhaps someone with record books could take a look and see if there is such a sword with a cutting test as described above. Suspect a naginata/nagamaki naoshi katana may be the closest we're going to come to finding an answer to the question. Thanks in advance.

Hello, Suggest if you're thinking about having it restored that you first begin by having a 'window' put in for further evaluation, especially of the boshi. While there are hints it could be a Koto period sword, it might only be a Muromachi piece. In which case you'll need to weigh restoration cost against final value. The fuchi looks to be perhaps Ko Mino. Interesting sword, thanks for sharing.

Hello, a place to begin is understanding how a traditional Japanese Sword is made. Which in essence is what defines a Nihonto. It is essential to begin learning and developing a nihonto vocabulary during the learning process. Very quickly, being called away, from the images in my opinion your sword is not a traditionally made nihonto. The military sword collectors will probably be chiming in shortly with more views. the secret world of the Japanese swordsmithhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxwWf-MfZVk

Hmm ..... http://www.sanmei.com/contents/media/A10938_S5501_PUP_E.htm

Usefulness, hmm, any of these on this list can be completely correct, completely incorrect, or somewhere in between, and its usefulness depends on what one ends up learning from using that information.

Hello, Thank you for posting additional images. Cool set, like the composition. Fuchi insert is really neat, well done. Blue stone, need to research more [Feldspar perhaps???], for the rose colored stone it could be coral. My guess, for what little it's worth, would be Owari school.

Hello Sergei, Is it possible to see images of the inside of both pieces as well as the tenjogane (face plate fuchi)? Thank you.

Hello, yes, a mix of mitsu mune and maru mune, a function of polish at this point. Which I would interpret as the work of a polisher who has no business polishing. My guess is that it is supposed to be mitsu mune. Kantei books! Purchasing a sword should be done with open kantei books describing what you should be seeing.

Hello Ford, thank you for showing and sharing.

Never realized Omori Teruhide was so prolific. When did he sleep?

http://neko-gaki.com/omori-teruhide/

Hello, Take a step back and spend time reading through the countless threads on this board about purchasing and restoration not unsimilar to this one. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/forum/17-articles/ P.S. http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/16th-century-katana-blade-inscribed-415988609