Greg here. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! First post and a little story to share...
Just got back 3 weeks ago from a trip to Japan. Last time I was there was in 1985 for the Tsukuba Expo.
Couldn't go to Japan without rekindling my love for Nihonto. I went to a total of 4 sword shops, 3 in Tokyo, 1 in Kyoto. I asked for shinsakuto only. Please note that I went from knowing next to nothing about nihonto to knowing very little. The folks at the shops I went to were prepared to show me mei and all, but I didn't about that at the time.
1st shop (http://www.japansword.co.jp/):
They had 3 shinsakuto. Didn't find any that truly sang to me.
2nd shop (
Ken san showed me a katana. Unfortunately, he made a mistake. It was already sold. On to the 2nd, a daisho that was within my budget, but they had shirasaya only. I asked to see another sword and I added that I prefer one with koshirae. The 3rd sword had a noticeable gouge on the mune. I was told that it was considered a lucky sword because it was gouged during a fight and the wielder was saved by the blade. I asked to see a 4th sword. This was it! I found out via a follow-up email that the sword I purchased was made in 2007 by Akamatsu Taro Kanetsugu. While reading through Aoi Art's website later that night I found out that they prefer that customers call or email first to request an appointment to view swords. The folks there went out of their way to accommodate me and that was very much appreciated.
3rd shop (Kyoto, https://www.tozandoshop.com, Shogoin store)
They had only antiques at the time.
4th shop (Tokyo, http://world.seiyudo.com/)
Last day in Japan. Wife and daughter went shopping for clothes in Uniqlo. I went on my own to look for Seiyudo in Ginza. Took me a while to find the place. The address didn't say anything about the shop being in a mall on the 2nd floor. Good thing I chanced upon a delivery man who knew where the shop was. The lady at the shop followed me around with a notebook listing all the swords they had. Most of those behind glass were beyond my budget. I spotted some on a rack and asked to see one of them. This was it again! It was made in 2004 by a smith named "Kaneteru". The lady said it would take about 3 weeks to get the export permit. I filled in the paperwork and off I went.
Epilogue...
I didn't know Kanetsugu and Kaneteru are brothers.
While waiting for the swords, I purchased Facts and Fundamentals of Japanese Swords: A Collector's Guide and The Art of the Japanese Sword: The Craft of Swordmaking and its Appreciation.
Aoi Art sent an email two weeks ago that they received the export permit and asked if it would be ok to send the nihonto on the 2nd week of January instead to avoid it getting lost in the mail (even via EMS) due to the Christmas rush. I told them I defer to their wisdom.
Monday last week I got an email from Mr. Shono at Seiyudo saying that they received the export permit and that they sent the sword already that day. The package arrived last last Saturday! I thought the Kaneteru had koshirae only. Mr. Shono mentioned in his email that they realized that the sword also came with a shirasaya and they included it in the box.
