A fine and extremely rare Japanese naginata by Tanshu Kunimitsu, Hojoji school, third quarter 14th century, the fine curved single edged blade with even cloud-like hamon and engraved to both faces with two bonji giving the protectorship of Marishi-Ten to the warrior holding it in war, blade length 36cm, the tang finely signed in gold and later altered for use as a sidearm, with single hole piercing and mounted in a shirazaya, overall length 51cm, with appraisal certificate obtained in the 1960s from Japan. Provenance: the collection of the late Roald Knutsen (1933-2025); purchased from the late David Tudor-Williams, 16th July 1961, for £30, and thought to have been obtained by him from the Miki-Han (1000-year-old house), as sold by them in 1876. Note: illustrated in ‘Japanese Polearms’ by Roald M. Knutsen, The Holland Press, London: 1963, page 118, figure 8. Roald Knutsen noted that there was good reason to believe that this blade may once have belonged to a ranking senior retainer family of the Miki- Ke in present day Hyogo-ken and then sold in 1876. Marishi -Ten was a significant Buddhist deity in Japan, who was revered by warriors for protection and strength during war.