Japanese Edo Period Steel Naginata Blade w/ Red Lacquer

**Originally Listed At $550**

East Asia, Japan, Edo period, ca. 1603 to 1868 CE. A forged-steel blade meant for a long-handled weapon known as a naginata (literally "glaive"). The elongated, crescent-shaped blade has a thick shoulder, a tapered groove along the middle of the spine, a sharpened edge, and a curved end with a pointed tip. A shallow fuller runs above a thin striation along both sides of the blade shoulder just past the tang, and each fuller is embellished with crimson-hued lacquer (urushi). A thick tang tapers to a narrow tip and bears a petite attachment perforation on the bottom. Size: 21.8" L x 1.1" W (55.4 cm x 2.8 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in September 2006; ex-private Lindlar, Germany collection

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#153627
Condition Report: Original pole body missing. Minor nicks and abrasions to tang, spine, and blade edge, with chipping and light fading to original lacquer color, and very minor pitting, otherwise intact and very good. Light patina throughout, and nice lacquer remains in fullers.