Nickupero

A beautiful Ubu-Nakago Wakizashi in mounts (tsuka and Saya are new) with old Komainu menuki, and it has been attributed to Daido of Mino. What is particularly interesting about this sword is its massive size, the width and thickness is incredibly large, far bigger than we are used to seeing. I added a picture of this blade beside a large Ko-mihara katana and you can see the big difference. Looks like Muromachi to Earlier Edo period, the school spanned from late Muromachi to I believe Showa period. It is very healthy condition and I will be uploading some better full-blade images soon.

Shoot, you need to add the FREESHIP Code, it does combine with LULUVIP8684 and not HOLIDAY25. Sorry for that, so 30% off and free shipping.

While were all busy this month buying gifts for everyone else its the perfect little gift to show how much you appreciate yourself If you think the wife will complain then send it to a family members house and have them wrap it and give you it Christmas Day!

Brian, actually found a Promo code that beats it but only available today. Its 30% off. LULUVIP8684 The FREESHIP promo code can be combined with the 30%

Something from my collection with Raden work since were on the topic, a Yari Koshirae. Seeing it in pictures doesn't do it justice, when you hold it in hand you realize just how much work and patience went into it. Sorry if I didn't contribute to your search Ken!

Thank you both Brian and Peter for taking the time to explain. Brain your right, Expresspost International is listed as EMS in Canada. I'll make sure to point him towards the South African Japanese Sword Society. Thanks again!!! :D

Hi gents, just reaching out to anyone who's had experience shipping to South Africa, final destination would be Johannesburg. Who is a recommended carrier, is South African post trustworthy for these type of items? FedEx a better option? Two people who immediately come to mind are Brian and Ford, any past experiences are welcomed. Thank you in advance for your input!

Definitely creative Ken, had a good laugh and I'm sure other did too, thx. :lol: Ian happy to know it brought back some good memories, can't imagine the amount of effort that went into trimming each piece!

Recently saw an Episode of "Pawn Stars" and I wanted to send my Congrats out to Mike Yamasaki for making his way onto this show. For those of you who don't know its a History Channel series that is extremely successful in North America (yes including Canada)! Was probably a repeat so maybe some old news for some. Mike you handled it like a Pro and represented the Nihonto community Honorably !!!!

Never saw it that way :? but I can see where your coming from. I imagine the level of workmanship to achieve this is pretty high, sort of like a high grade grade chef to make a top quality Bouillabaisse, lol.

Hi, just posting some pictures of some very interesting lacquer work. First time I've come across something like this and I find its real special. You can literally see entire sea shells. Comments and opinions welcome!

Hi Gilles, nice to hear your making your way to Canada! If the weather continues to what we had here in Montreal this weekend I think it will be a pleasant trip :D . Regarding the Museums you missed two nice exhibits, both in Montreal and Quebec city, the one in Montreal was a private and extensive collection that ended in spring. That last time I was in Toronto I saw a small section of Samurai related antiques at the Royal Ontario Museum, and I think it is part of their permanent display along with other weapons from various periods... worth taking a couple of hours to see. Enjoy your trip and PM me if you have any specific questions, I'll try my best to help!

I'd be interested in one... anyone else in Montreal so we can up that number?

Hi Friends, just reaching out to see if anyone has any recent experiences shipping to Italy. I've sent a Wakizashi many years back from Canada to Italy but I can't remember the process clearly. I'm looking to possibly send a certified Shin-shinto Tanto to Italy most likely with FedEx and was wondering if anything is required for Italian Customs? I know FedEx is more expensive but the service is outstanding and they tend to aid with customs Brokering, but is there anything else I should know or expect? I know the harmonized code is 9706 and from I remember Italy is a member of GATT. Responses are much Appreciated! Thanks in anvance :D

In Nippon as we speak so I figured I'd add my two sense. Much of my response is based on the opinions of the Japanese people I spoke with so please don't persecute me if you don't agree :lol: Many of the Japanese feel the economy has improved greatly, which could be explained by the devalue of the Yen. I stopped off at a few influential sword shops to see what goodies they had to offer to the market and had the opportunity to speak with in depth with the owners regarding the Japanese Sword Market. Recently the prices for good blades in Japan have gone up greatly, the dealers all had the same opinion with regards to the internal auctions they use to get much of their inventory. They all said that nothing has been coming on the market, and for a while. Initially I though the reason for prices being high was the Japanese trying to capitalize on their deflated Yen, but most of these shops catered almost mostly to the Japanese population. Maybe there just aren't as many blades in Japan as there used to be, especially with the interest of Western people. I actually believe there is going to be an increase in the value for these items in the next few years, even for the medium grade stuff, but that's just my opinion. I guess we'll see what prices will be at the shows.

Here's your swords bigger and badder version, except the kissaki is smaller. Used to be the biggest one in Canada :lol: http://nihontoart.com/item-details.php?id=39

Barry said it right... Always nice to see fellow Canadians joining the NMB. Welcome Reuben and Mark! Hi Sven, glad you were able to make it over. You'll find some great and knowledgeable collectors here, as well as some good items to trade with!

Judging from the reply's you really know how to open a can of worms! Flemming, as you've read from the above posts these are passionate collectors who know what they are talking about. If you want to experiment then buy a $50 blade that's gone beyond restoration, don't do it on an item that has potential to be restored to its original condition

Your right, its great that security is increased but hopefully they concentrate their efforts where it is really needed and not on harassing the average Joe trying to buy a piece of Art. I guess we'll find out soon enough!

Hi Josh, I was not aware of any change by customs in prohibiting these items.... it wouldn't surprise me though! One thing I know is that Canadian customs is tightening the security and apparently every, and I mean every item that goes in and out of Canada is being scanned unlike before. I sent a blade out recently and the lady working at FedEx office told me that each parcel will go through X-Ray, she said they are beefing up security and regulations in efforts to modernize and I guess make it more difficult for us to purchase internationally. That new system should be in operation because FedEx had advised all the employees working at the depots. Don't worry I get the same treatment whenever I call customer service, you get a different reply from agent to agent.

Wow good eye Mariusz, it seems the seller doesn't have the best feedback though!

Alex I think a good word for what your saying is "custodian", because that's all we really are to these items. I found the blade was oddly positioned in the photos, although it may have looked nice visually the person responsible obviously doesn't know the basics to handling a blade, at least if it were out of polish.... unless the platform was made of a softer material.

I can guarantee the buyer will never buy another Japanese blade once he/ she realizes what was actually purchased. Whats crazy is there was at least one other bidder going up against him/ her!!!

Not sure if I want to laugh or cry, especially since he's a Canadian seller. It appears he's also a polisher.... now I know where to go when I want some local polishing done!

Points very well made, I respect your opinions. Referring it to as Graffiti is interesting, some people like a clean wall while others feel it adds character. These items are highly regarded and they represent very well the Japanese mentality and the strive for perfection so I see how an ugly attempt at a signature can take away from the beauty of the item in some eyes. I guess I see it a little different, I find a false signature tells a story about the blade at one point in time, sort of like a physical record. I like to imagine who's hands it could have passed through, what the blade could have been through, reasons for doing such things and the people involved, and besides documented records there is not so much we can tell about a blades history and what it has seen. We will all have a certain amount of time with the items we purchase until they pass onto the next custodian, will we leave our prints... maybe, or maybe not... a removal of a signature, a repolish, adjustment, or repair. Anything we do alters its history. I guess the only way to slightly convince me to do such a thing would be out of respect to the original smith. I've had discussions in person with friends for hours regarding this matter and I'm interested in hearing different views from both sides of the fence. That's very odd Clive, first time I heard of that, never resubmitted it later?