Just bought my first Naginata...

[sounderites]

I'm an armor person so this is my first purchase of a real 'blade'. Wondering how I did?! It wasn't that expensive so please feel free to lay into it.  

 

I'm told blade is signed 'Mitsushige'. Bizen school. Google says that's Kamakura Period 1350s. 51.5cm blade. 241.4cm with pole. The blade appears to be in decent shape apart from one small spot that I assume is a rust dimple that was polished out-- is this a big deal?

 

Very hard to photograph so I will post dealer photos and try to add some better ones myself later. Any info / opinions are appreciated! Thank you!

[Rivkin]

The tip sticks up a bit too abruptly for 1350. Maybe late Muromachi.

[sounderites]

Good to know, thanks! I will try to get a better photo of the mei and look into it. Presumably I have the wrong smith

[Gakusee]

  On 3/23/2023 at 7:23 PM, sounderites said:

Good to know, thanks! I will try to get a better photo of the mei and look into it. Presumably I have the wrong smith

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The mei does look like Mitsushige in your photos. There are plenty of Muromachi Bizen and Bingo Mitsushige smiths (p 628 in Markus’ Index). 

[Baba Yaga]

"The blade appears to be in decent shape apart from one small spot that I assume is a rust dimple that was polished out-- is this a big deal?"

 

That polished out rust spot may not be a rust spot at all. It could be a battle scar. Without getting all technical with wording and assumptions, have a qualified polisher take a look.