國 安 Kuniyasu, Edo or Shōji period (1199-1201), Naginata - samurai Watanabe Clan, Japanese sword; So far, we have two opinions: 1) This Naginata was made in EDO period for female warriors- onna-musha (女武者) from Samurai Watanabe clan, by 國 安 Kuniyasu Horikawa (1596-1624 AD); 2) Based on the signature, 國 安 Kuniyasu, this naginata was made in Kamakura period (1199-1201 AD), for female warriors- onna-musha (女武者) from Samurai Watanabe clan; One-hole Kuniyasu signed tang. Brass Habaki. Mekugi present. Black lacquered, wooden Ebu with inlayed mother-of-pearl and silvered bronze Semegane (reinforcing bands). Iron Ishizuki (end of the shaft). Black lacquered, wooden Saya with Watanabe Clan gold painted Mon (emblem). Black wool Saya cover with Watanabe Clan Mon. Kasane (thickness of the blade): 6.5 mm. Moto-Haba (bottom blade width): 27.5 mm Blade Length: 15.25" = 38.73 cm; Total Length of naginata, including wooden shaft: 93" = 236.22 cm Shaft length: 77.75” = 197.5 cm; Hamon: Toran (?) Weight of the blade: Total weight: Condition: used in the real battles, has multiple battle scars, insignificant rust spots. REFERENCE: Kuniyasu. ID: KUN 1701. Province: Yamashiro. Era: Shōji (1199-1201). Active Period: 1199-1201. School: Awataguchi; Father/Teacher: Kuniie: Lineage Image / Interactive: Hawley: 150. Reference: KUN 1701; Toko Taikan rating: ¥18M = $121,894 USD: Reference: 221; Fujishiro: Sai-jo saku; Reference: K322; REFERENCE: Onna-musha (女武者) is a term referring to female warriors in pre-modern Japan,[1][2] who were members of the bushi (warrior) class. They were trained in the use of weapons to protect their household, family, and honour in times of war;[3][4] many of them fought in battle alongside samurai men,[5][6] but were never referenced in contemporary Sino-Japanese literature as samurai themselves.[citation needed] Onna-musha also have an important presence in Japanese literature, with Tomoe Gozen and Hangaku Gozen being famous and influential examples.[5] Kamakura period Tomoe Gozen The Genpei War (1180–1185) was a war between the Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genji) clans, two very prominent Japanese clans of the late-Heian period. The epic The Tale of the Heike was composed in the early 13th century in order to commemorate the stories of courageous and devoted samurai.[7] Among those was Tomoe Gozen, servant of Minamoto no Yoshinaka of the Minamoto clan. She assisted Yoshinaka in defending himself against the forces of his cousin, Minamoto no Yoritomo, especially during the Battle of Awazu in 1184.[8] Watanabe (渡辺 and other variants[note 1]) is a Japanese surname derived from the noble and samurai Watanabe clan, a branch of the Minamoto clan, descending from the Emperor Saga (786-842), the 52nd Emperor of Japan, and refers to a location called 'Watanabe no tsu' which was settled by the Watanabe clan, who took the name of the place. It was located in the medieval period near the mouth of the Yodogawa River in Settsu Province, in present-day city of Osaka. During the Genpei War (1180–1185), in which the Taira clan was pitted (caused to fight) against the Minamoto clan, the naginata rose to a position of particularly high esteem, being regarded as an extremely effective weapon by warriors.[11] The Tale of the Heike, which records the Genpei War, there are descriptions such as ō naginata (lit. big naginata) and ko naginata (lit. little naginata), which show that naginata of various lengths were used.[9] END