{"product_id":"japanese-naginata-blade-tip-8-inches-c-1500s-to-1800s-ce-edo-period-22124-auction","title":"Japanese Naginata Blade Tip (8 inches) - c. 1500s to 1800s CE - Edo Period - 2\/21\/24 Auction","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 15px;\" data-mce-style=\"font-size: 15px;\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is the tip of a naginata that dates back to Japan's Edo period, from about the 16th to 19th century CE.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe naginata is a traditional Japanese weapon consisting of a curved blade mounted on a long pole. Its origins can be traced back to around the 8th century CE, when it was used by female members of the samurai class to defend their homes and families. Over time, the naginata evolved into a weapon of war, used by both male and female samurai in battle. During the Edo period (1603-1868), the naginata lost its military importance and became primarily a tool for martial arts training and competition. Today, the naginata is still practiced as a martial art and is also used in ceremonial and cultural contexts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInfo about why this sword may have been cut apart can be found below.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0102\/1096\/7599\/files\/A_Fighting_Monk__Military_Costumes_in_Old_Japan._b557a0ee-71fa-4519-bb88-9a3365fbfdf1_1024x1024.jpg?v=1677033800\" alt=\"A fighting monk with a naginata in hand\" data-mce-style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0102\/1096\/7599\/files\/A_Fighting_Monk__Military_Costumes_in_Old_Japan._b557a0ee-71fa-4519-bb88-9a3365fbfdf1.jpg?v=1677033800\u0026amp;width=700\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"JsGRdQ\" mce-data-marked=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn this photo from 1895, a man is dressed as a \"fighting monk\" from the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333) with a naginata in hand.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKatana, wakizashi, and tantō: what's the difference?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese three types of Japanese swords are perhaps the most recognizable outside of Japan. The \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ekatana\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e is a longsword first developed in the 14th century, with most examples having a 25 to 30 inch blade. They were typically carried as a matched set with their shorter counterpart, the \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ewa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ekizashi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. These shorter sidearms usually had blades around 12 to 14 inches long. The dagger-like \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003etantō\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003ewas an even smaller sidearm with a 6 to 12 inch blade, making them well suited for close up combat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhy were these swords\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ecut into pieces\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e?\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese swords were most likely destroyed after Japan passed strict weapon laws in the 1950's. Under the new law, all mass produced swords were banned and traditionally crafted swords became highly regulated. People who owned antique swords were required to obtain a permit in order to keep them, a costly and time consuming process. Unfortunately this drove many people to cut their swords' blades down to less than 15 centimeters long, which made them legal to own without a permit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow are these swords authenticated?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThere are many details found on antique Japanese swords that are lacking in modern reproductions. Real handmade swords have a grain visible on the steel and a temper line called a \u003cem\u003ehamon\u003c\/em\u003e along the cutting edge of the blade. The dark rust on the tang helps to date the blade as well, as it can only be acquired with age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe source is always an important consideration when authenticating any historical items too. We worked with an antique sword dealer in Japan to import these directly to the United States. Many of these pieces may have once been family heirlooms or were recovered after being put away in storage for decades, often hidden away in more rural areas which helped them avoid the bombings and Allied sword confiscations of World War II. Due to the sheer amount of swords produced by Japan over the last few centuries, many lower grade examples are surprisingly affordable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"JsGRdQ\" mce-data-marked=\"1\"\u003eAll purchases include a Certificate of Authenticity. You will receive the exact items shown in the product photos above.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"History Hoard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67581925326925,"sku":"ixz1791343291142","price":71.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/0775\/0989\/files\/japanese-naginata-blade-tip-8-inches---c-1500s-to-1800s-ce---edo-period---22124-_1.png?v=1791343296","url":"https:\/\/www.neatcorner.shop\/products\/japanese-naginata-blade-tip-8-inches-c-1500s-to-1800s-ce-edo-period-22124-auction","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}