Original 17th Century Japanese Naginata Polearm Blade by SUKECHIKA in Resting Handle with Red Textured Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The naginata (なぎなた, 薙刀) is a pole weapon and one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades (nihontō). Naginata were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as by ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei (warrior monks). The naginata is the iconic weapon of the onna-bugeisha, a type of female warrior belonging to the Japanese nobility. Naginata for fighting men and warrior monks were ō-naginata. The kind used by women was called ko-naginata.

This example dates from the early Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country’s 300 regional daimyo. The blade tang shows great age, with a lovely patina, and is signed faintly with 助 隣 – SUKECHIKA. This smith was active during the late 17th century, which dates this blade to approximately 1680. They were relatively well-regarded, operating in the MUSASHI province, and are rated 15 by Hawley.

This naginata is mounted on a “Resting” display handle measuring 15 3/8″, giving a total length of 30 3/4″ inches when installed. Normally these would be in a much longer shaft, but that was only for actual use in combat, where they were used for castle defense or use in the field against soldiers on horseback. It has a typical design wooden saya (scabbard) with a lovely textured tataki lacquer finish.

The blade has the following period correct features:

– The hole in the tang (meguki-ana) is punched, and not drilled.
– The blade is signed on the tang by the maker (mei).
– Folded steel blade – fold lines are evident on the body and spine of blade, as well as grain typical of folded steel.
– Visible vibrant temper line (“hamon”) running full length of blade cutting edge.
– Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Both ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits) are visible.

The Blade of this example is 15″ long, from the tip (kissaki) to the back notch (mune-machi), and the overall length including the tang is 30“. The blade is still in very good condition, showing no real wear or damage to the edge except at the very tip, and is still VERY sharp, so it should be handled with care. It has the typical Unokubi-Zukuri (Cormorant’s Neck) shape, standard for a Naginata. It looks like there was some oxidation and scuffing at some point, which was cleaned away using uchiko powder, though this also has made some aspects of the blade faint. Both the large and narrow BO’HI (棒樋 – large or wide groove) fullers were originally filled with red URUSHI lacquer, a very common embellishment on polearm blades such as this, however now only traces remain.

The blade has a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Haagari (asymmetrical Rounded) nakago-jiri (tang tip). The polish on the blade is in good condition, and still shows signs of past oxidation that was removed. It has a clear SUGUHA (直刃 or straight) temper line (刃文 – HAMON), which shows some undulation as well as internal activity in the light. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon. The tip temper line (BOSHI) is visible, and is of the KOMARU (small turnback) shape. There are also KIZU (blade wounds) such as WARE lamination lines and FUKURE carbon pits, artifacts only possible with a traditional handmade blade such as this. A very nice example with lots of aspects to enjoy.

The fittings of the naginata are quite simple, with a two piece “Resting” handle, which looks to probably be mid 20th century. This was probably a WWII or post WWII bring back item. The blade has a copper HABAKI, which looks to be quite old, and is typical of Edo period blades. The blade is held in place by a single bamboo MEKUGI (peg), which is recently made.

The saya (Scabbard) is of the typical style, painted black with a red TATAKI textured lacquer finish, and measures about 19 1/4” x 4 7/8“ at the widest. It shows just a bit of damage and wear to the finish at the ends. We do suspect that it was repainted at some point in the past, as the wood itself looks to be quite dark. This was very common due to the desire to preserve old scabbards that were custom fitted to a blade.

A fantastic late 17th century Japanese Naginata Polearm Blade by a known maker, in very good condition and ready to display! This is only the second time that we have ever been able to offer a signed Naginata blade!

Specifications:

Blade Length: 30“ Overall
Blade shape: Unokubi-Zukuri (Cormorant’s Neck) – standard for Naginata
Edge Length: 15″
Tang Length: 15″
Overall length: 30 3/4″
Handle Length: 15 3/8″
Scabbard Dimensions: 19 1/4” x 4 7/8“

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Japanese blade (日本刀 – Nihonto) is unique because it is forged from multiple pieces of folded steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.

The traditional Japanese blade and mountings have grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.