Mark Green

Great looking Bungo Yari. Love it! :D Not Masayuki. I'll check the books. Mark G

Bamboo is very tough. I have used my replica yari, that is set up with one ana, vs 'you name it'. Never have broken a mekugi. I have cracked the pole many times though. If a deep sword, or polearm hit, weakened the split area where the nakago rests, it is easy to crack the rice glue open. Hence the reason for multiple rings, of metal, usually copper, in that area. As well as hemp twine wrapping. Plus a good cap fitting is a must. If your cap got crushed, and the Yari was able to slide back due to other damage, you could maybe break a mekugi pin. Mark G

The Museum of fine arts Boston, has many wonderful Nanban works. http://www.mfa.org/search/collections?p ... =1&rows=64 Mark G

Wow, I really like that one. I was thinking Akasaka.

" Chivalry in any context was always a semi-fiction. John" There is no place for Chivalry on the battlefield. In a real fight, winning, and staying alive, are the only things that matter. Chivarly, is an after the fight right of the victor, or not. Mark G

Hi Gang, Spirituality comes in many forms. I will always admit, that I have picked up a few old Japanese swords, that I have felt a 'power' within. I don't know if it is ancient energies, or, if it is just that perfect 'feel' in my hand, that may trigger something inside me. I have felt this with other old tools of war from the west as well. Guns, as well as swords. Swords, lived with people, as cell phones do today. For the Samurai, that was to the max. If energies, are indeed stored in objects such as these,(which is very likely I suppose) I guess, very negative energies, could effect an object in some way. That energy effecting another??? Not so sure about that. But, I suppose anything is possible. People who are week minded, are easily influenced by many things. But, I'm not sure your Lawyer could get you off on the "The sword made me do it" defence. Mark G

Crossbows!!! puoooweeee! Hi Gang, I doubt that any self respecting Samurai would be seen using a crossbow. A late period assassin/ninja maybe, if you believe in those kind of things. Jumonji yari, while in mho, are the best looking weapons ever made my man, would likely have real problems in large melee combat. They would be to likely to get caught on things, resulting in the death of it's user. Now, for a single combat yari fight, give me a Jumonji any day. They cut very well on the return, as well as the thrust. Mark G

HUMMMMMMMM? From the article: "Students must be reminded of the seriousness and risk associated with tameshigiri. Nihon-to harbor the influences of those who have previously owned and used them. They are spiritual magnets, drawing to them forces and influences from the world beyond our present consciousness. If old or ancient, swords can harbor unfathomable spiritual forces wielding incredible power. Occasionally, these forces and desires are so powerful as to influence the mind and intentions of the current owner. These forces can be put to rest by invoking the incantations and prayers contained in the gokui. These efforts are not permanent however. Tameshigiri frequently reawakens these spiritual forces especially if the intent and spirit of the practitioner is impure. For this reason, it is important that all swords used for tameshigiri be purified and rested between tameshigiri sessions. " OK then. Mark G

It is likely correct that very few yari were used in the Heian period. With the Samurai bravado of that period, yari were likely looked upon as a cheaters weapon. Not worthy of killing another upper class warrior. Archery duels seemed to be the most heroic way an up and coming Samurai could make a name for himself. While there did seem to be quite a few Naginata/nagamaki depicted and used. These are just a yari, that can cut better. And are much better when fighting vs a sword, then a longer yari would be in small unit engagements. Plus they are great for chopping off heads In the old scrolls, you see very few Samurai without a bow. It would be very hard to carry a bow, and a yari. Not that any young warrior of the period would want to be seen using a yari. This attitude seems to have lasted through the Kamakura period. At least, until well after the Mongol invasions, where I'm sure the Samurai got a few lessons in spear use. As more 'retainers', entered the fight, so did the yari. As Carlo said, it gave you the most bang for the buck, with less skilled users. But I do agree, That in the Heian, and through most of the kamakura periods, very few yari were used. It was just not a heroic enough weapon. Rightly so. Mark G

Hi Gang, Great topic. I feel fairly confedent that yari were used throughout Samurai history. There are many scrolls showing their use during the 14th c. I feel that during the early period, the professional Samurai, were worriors of the horse, and bow. Along with a trusty sword, and tanto, the bow was the weapon of choice for the upper class worriors. Their skill at riding and shooting were paramount. However, even in these times, I feel sure there were retainers using an assortment of pole weapons. Many being yari. According to the Knutsen's, there are quite a few scrolls to defend this. In the wars of the Nanbokucho period, the yari was used a great deal. Further into the Muromachi period, the yari quickly became the Queen of the battlefield. Many, very skilled, upper class Samurai, found that the yari was a most effective battlefield weapon. And remained the Queen until the modern gun was intorduced. Carlo, I think you are right on, about the non use of shields. Most Samurai weapons being 2 handed, and the fact that it is very hard to shoot a bow, holding a shield. Instead, the Sode, were developed. These were the shields of a Samurai. Conveniently built into their armor. Defending quite well vs. oncoming arrows, while you shoot. The troops made great use of large movable pavise shields however. Great cover for your archers, and good defence vs. cav. troops. Archers, could drop their bows, and pick up a 9-15 ft yari, and reap havoc on any kind of attack. Ian, Most polearms, and yari, had butt-spikes. When your opponent gets inside your blade point, your butt-spike can do good service. Or, your polearm can be used very effectively as a leverage device to throw your opponent to the ground. Mark G

Great looking Bungo sword, from a very good smith. Bungo smiths copied the best of all schools. That seems to be the main reason the 'old school' fanatics had their problems with Bungo. From what I have heard, the samurai liked these blades very much. They would hold up well in real combat. And, most that I have seen, are very well made, and very good looking. But, I am very partial to Bungo swords, being the jv, Milt. You can send it to me if you like. I will give it a good home, with many of it's brothers. Thanks for sharing, Mark G

Thank you sir! Mark

She looks a bit tired. But if it is one of the Sa gang, it would be very old. 1400's Many smiths signed 'Sa'. Is that some cool looking utsuri I see in some pics? A shame about the nakago Nice.

Hi Gang, I'm away from my books. Could someone check this one for me. Thanks for any help, Mark G

To Me, those look like rust pitting, that couldn't be removed when Last polished. Would that count as Kitae ware?? I'm thinking kuchikomi. Rust dimples.

WOW! Sweet find! Congrats! Mark G

I'm with Mark. You should be able to take a hobby razor knife and just cut the thread along the seam of the leather. See what you have under there. personal, I would have to see the fittings. But I don't care at all about the ww2ness of it. If you take care along the seams you may be able to return the leather, although in my experience, the leather is usualy dry rotted beyond saving. Do not ivory rub the fittings! That could be very bad. Looks like a nice get. Mark G

Great looking sword, Dirk! I for one, would love to see a few more pics. Ayasugi-like? Sure looks that way to me. Mark G

Welcome dweber,(sorry,couldn't see a name anywhere) To me, your tsuba looks cast. Can you tell us what it is made of? Maybe a few more pics. Mark G

Justin, Looks like he could have some nice swords there. YES! Get some oil on these asap, often. Search above for info on sword care. Mark G

Jason, I think your pics looked just fine. Without a pro set up, it is hard to do much better then that. MG

Hi Ben, It is hard to say from the pics. Likely why people haven't chimed in much. Can you take some better pics of the Nakago, both sides? And a very close shot of the blade, at an angle. If is shows no markings at all on the nakago, there is no telling, without very close examination. And then you still may not be able to say, with the current state of polish. It is 'real', that's for sure. It looks like the bullet made a dent. I would look for a nasty bend at that point. It looks to be an OK relic of ww2 at least. For some, the bullet hole adds some 'splash'. For me it just says problems. Better pics may help? Sorry I couldn't help more. Mark G

To me, it looks like the nakago has been 'cleaned'. Mark G

Yes Brian I knew it was a SAW. I was just stating how fun big machine guns can be. Unless your carrying one up and down Jungle mountains, or jumping out the door of a c-130. Then that 30+lbs of steel, and brass, can kinda suck. But, if you have to shoot at someone they can come in very handy. Very hard to believe they wouldn't show you the sword Louis. What if you wanted to buy it? That's nuts. The show is fun to watch though. You just know those guys could buy all the Juyo swords they wanted. They are, that rich. Nothing like national advertising!

That all looked like great fun Louis. I humped an m60 for 2 years in the army. Nothing like the power of a 30 cal. " go ahead, hide behind the brick wall, hehe"