Help with a Kikuchi-yari

[Peter Bleed]

In getting ready to explore the sales potential of the NMB, I got out an old Kikuchi-yari that ended its career as a Yoroi-toshi. I bought is YEARS ago after it had lost it tsuka and retained only a saya with faint saya-gaki. As far as i could see, that gaki said something about Kikuchi yari  and the Meiji era so I treated it like a solved problem -polished and new shirasaya. But as I got it out today, I recall that years ago, I happened to show this blade to my esteemed sensei, Serizawa Chosuke who cared nothing about swords (or my interest in them, thank you!). As he looked at this blade, tho, he said something about "It says it killed a ghost."

So, take a look at these snapshots and the rather faint bit at the top of the saya-gaki. What am I missing?

Peter

[Nobody]

一▢筑紫槍 - …… Chikushi-yari

明治廿(or 丗)五年於福岡市求之 – Meiji 25^th (35^th ?) year, bought this in Fukuoka city.

 

After that I am unsure (might be a name?).

[Peter Bleed]

Moriyama-sama, you are a treasure! Thank you! Can you make anything of the saya-gaki on the other side?

P

[Nobody]

Where is the saya-gaki on the other side?

[Peter Bleed]

It is in the second image, the lower one, in the first message. It is quite faint.

P

[Nobody]

It is on the same side. I already read it in my previous response.

 

[k morita]

Hi,

一名　筑紫槍

Meaning:
(This Yari is) also known as Tsukushi-yari/Chikushi-yari.

 

In this case, 一名 means A.K.A.

[Peter Bleed]

Thank you, thank you!  Morita-san. I got the "yari" part but the rest was beyond me. We are truly lucky to have your expertise!

Peter

[Bazza]

Thank you Peter - and now for a photo of the yari???  Some years ago the JSSUS published photos and an article on an intact kikuchi yari that was, if I recall correctly, an heirloom of the Hosokawa family.  It was a stunning piece.  I seem to recall too that it had a British connection.  Paul??

 

BaZZa.