Polishing/restoring of Arrowheads

[Moritsuchi]

Hi all,

 

I've recently aquired some Yanone. As they are pretty rusted, I think the'd greatly benefit from polishing/restauration, but I don't think a Japanese Togishi has the time to work on something as trivial as arrowheads, nor do I think the cost of sending to Japan and back and polishing them stands in any reasonable relation to their value. Is there anyone in Europe/Germany who is able to professionally restore them for reasonable price? What would a reasonable price be? I've never sent a sword for polishing, so I have only a rough idea how much it would be for a sword, and no idea how long one arrowhead would take compared to a sword. (They are like 150€ each)

 

 

Or are there any other things you could advise? I can't even sharpen a knife so there's no way I will abuse any antiques with anything other than a piece of cloth and oil, no worries, but that won't bring them to shine, so what would you reccomend?

 

Florian

[Matsunoki]

7 minutes ago, Moritsuchi said:

so what would you reccomend?

 

Florian

you could always sell them to me🙂

really nice collection, i do envy you…..I’ve never been able to find any in theUK.

Love em.

C.

[ROKUJURO]

Florian,

I have seen worst ones as far as condition is concerned. I would keep them slightly (!) oiled and in a dry place, and otherwise leave them without "shine".
As Colin already mentioned, a nice little collection!

[Franco D]

Hello,

 

Polishers do sometimes like to have smaller side polishing projects to supplement their income. They like the rest of us have bills to pay. No harm in asking. Having multiple surfaces to polish, polishing yanone might not be inexpensive. However, you can always select a few of your best ones for polish. It would be wise to find a qualified polisher.

 

Regards,

[jesse]

Florian, I too collect yanone and have a collection of about 25.  They vary in size range from 15cm heads on 64cm shafts to 11cm heads and 25cm shafts down to what a normal arrow head is. 

Please let me know if you find someone willing to polish them and the costs of it.

 

Warm regards,

[Moritsuchi]

On 8/30/2023 at 8:58 PM, jesse said:

They vary in size range from 15cm heads on 64cm shafts to 11cm heads and 25cm shafts down to what a normal arrow head is. 

 

 

What? 15cm head on 64cm shaft? That sounds more like a yeri, doesn't it? Ive seen such blades listed under the category of yari. How much do they weigh?

 

Florian

[jesse]

Florian, no, they are yanone.

 

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by jesse
Changed the pictures

[jesse]

And here is another angle.

[jesse]

Let me know if you want to see pictures of the next smaller size that I have.

 

For me to weigh them would be difficult as I have already mounted them in a raised box display.

But they are quite heavy (for an arrowhead). I have wondered what the size of the actual external shaft must have been along with the bow necessary to effectively launch it.

 

Warm Regards,

Edited September 11, 2023 by jesse
added additional information

[jesse]

I just went ahead and took photos of some others.

Let me know your comments/thoughts.

 

Warm Regards,

[ROKUJURO]

Jesse,

these YANONE look more like presentation items and not made for actual use.

Very ornate and interesting!

[Brian]

I suspect most of these were indeed presentation pieces. I don't think they were meant to be shot at some lowly ashigaru.
Impressive nonetheless. And quite valuable.

[dimitri]

Very nice collectible for you two . 

[Andi B.]

Hi, no restauration but presentation:

If you have a cabinet/shelf with hollow boards (for lights) and insert a strong magnet, the yanone can stand...

 

[Brian]

That is fantastic!

[Matsunoki]

Just a word of warning……some very nice “copies” of these presentation Yanone are being well made in India. Just put Yanone into ebay.com - it’s worth being aware.

[Matsunoki]

For example….

 

[Ed]

I have a few of these, from simple to elaborate. This is a fine Umetada presentation piece in the shape of Inome with a shishi carved in sukashi inside.

 

[jesse]

Ed, I have come across those you mention above and while they are unique and beautiful I don't view them in the same lense that I do with Nihonto articles.

I try to do my due diligence and only buy them from Japan or from someone I already have a relationship with.

 

With my advancing age I am thinking of selling my Yanone collection and some of my swords and only keeping a few select items but I keep waffling on pulling the trigger.

 

Warm Regards,