How do you identify a naginata tsuba?

[Steves87]

Very interesting subject. 

I hope you do not mind my personal observations:

When beginning out at a mixed style Kenjutsu school, our first jump into full contact sparring was Kote cuts. Katana vs Katana (obviously not steel construction I should add). What I found as we progressed to higher forms of sparring is that, as a beginner, the quickest way to win a fight against a slightly more experienced swordsperson was to cut the wrists in one quick mini strike. Often a small movement makes your opponent react and people generally assume a full cut will be the first strike. The strike had to be accurately positioned and angled as the Tsuba did occasionally get in the way and block the strike. The plastic rubber Tsuba do not last long with these hits, especially from a top down strike.

And as for Naginata? Did the poles ever snap or get cut through from a block? is there any records of this? A cut poled Naginata makes a good sword in my opinion and if it already has a Tsuba? Great!

[Bugyotsuji]

Steve, I believe one of the purposes of the long nakago tang on these was to add extra strength against such possibilities.

[Steves87]

30 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Steve, I believe one of the purposes of the long nakago tang on these was to add extra strength against such possibilities.

Good point! I wonder then if this is the birth of a Nagamaki?

[kissakai]

Hi

I was just going through one of my tsuba books:

On page 29 of 'Tsuba Kanshoki by Torigoye Kazutaro'

Found this described as a naginata tsuba. There is something here that in his opinion makes it 'naginata' apart from the nakago ana

I don't know the sizes

It is the only tsuba described as such and there are a few hundred tsuba shown!

No idea why the image has been rotated 90 degrees

 

Edited February 16, 2022 by kissakai
One line added

[Bugyotsuji]

Bronze! Über cool! 
 

From the Uesugi family, in Uesugi Jinja, 

大薙刀　large Naginata and iron Tsuba.

 

 

 

 

[kissakai]

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