have found a 2.4 metre unfinished ash 1 in. dia straight pole for the haft & an original 'shoe' for the butt which is wending it's way from japan. i think i will cut the pole a bit shorter to a. fit in my living room w/o hitting the ceiling and b. to make it more manageable.
i gather the ashigara used longer ones like pikes in formation, and the higher ranked samurai would use more manageable lengths from 6 ft. or so on up. i thought 7 ft. a good compromise. will finish the pole black.
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