New Yari, Need Help

[Tony C]

Hi all. I bought my first nihonto and it arrived from Japan today. According to the seller it was made in the Edo period/ late Kamakura but he couldn't be sure because it's a mumei. If you guys can help me out here that would be great.

 

 

I'm not sure if there is a jihada on the blade (though I have read some smiths are able to fold the blade but leave no trace of jihada). Sorry about the low quality photos.

 

 

It would appear the tang was shortened and you can see it was heated at the end due to the blue temper colour.

 

 

Also, after I have applied a thin coat of layer onto the blade and sheathed it, when I remove the saya there are splotches of rainbow coloured patches across the blade. Is this normal?

 

Thanks in advance, 

Tony

[Brian]

Tony,

You do know this is a yari, right? A Japanese spear (head)

It would have gone on the end of a long pole. Still forged and folded and made by a smith though. Tang was shortened, yes. It would have a hada if polished properly, but these are not polished or forged as well as swords are usually. Nice item. Probably made mid to late edo.

 

Clean the blade with isopropyl alcohol properly, and then a few drops of light oil on a tissue wiped over, and you shouldn't get streaking. Too much oil I suspect.

[Bugyotsuji]

What the man said, oh, and forget the bit about Kamakura Period.

[Brian]

Missed the heading of the post, so you do know it is a yari

Nice. They tend to have a longer kerakubi when they are earlier. This one would be a fairly standard one from the usual later period. Genuine of course.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Tony,

Late Kamakura was the end of the 13th and beginning of the 14th century.  Edo was 17th through most of the 19th century.  It's great that you're interested in Nihonto but you would be doing yourself a big favor if you slowed down on sword buying and spent some time in study.  The more you know the better your buying decisions will be.

Grey

[Tony C]

Thank you. You have all been very helpful.

 

Grey, I'm sorry I got my facts mixed up... I meant Muromachi but was thinking of something else  .

 

Just curious as to what would be a good evaluation for the price of the piece as I won it at an auction?

[Mark]

from the pictures i think $3-500