David Flynn

G'day Cliff, something tells me these swords are "Shinken", not Shinsakuto. If this is the case, they are not Nihonto. before spending any more money, may I suggest that you check out the difference.

Is this sword going on ebay Jock?

Thanks for the report Gordon. I remember at the Sydney Shinsa, we had some discussions on why some swords pinked. There are still a few ruffled feathers. However, on the whole, I think, it's always better to err on the side of caution. Congratulations on a successful Show and Shinsa.

G'day Rick, welcome to the forum and study hard.

Ford, thank you for raising this issue. I agree it's easy for and experienced collector to say that, that particular book is not for beginners. When I started, the only real books available, were, The Japanese sword, by Sato, The arts of the Japanese sword, Robinson and of course John Yumoto's handbook. May I start the ball rolling, with a sugestion, that, The craft of the Japanese sword, Yoshihara and Kapp would now be a good starting point.

How Zen of you Franco.

G'day Carl and welcome. I hope you have an understanding wife :D

I also started as an accumulator. Went through a period where I would collect fittings, Tsuka and swords, with equal abandon. Next came a period of stagnation, this happened, mostly for personal reasons. From this period came a bugger it all period where I was going to give it all up. Then came the next period(still there) where I decided to specialise more. So now, I would class myself as a collector.

sometimes being nice, is put in the too hard basket :D

Just a note, to further what George has stated on quality Gendaito. I have a sword Signed Kanetsune, that recieved 75pts kanteisho at the NY shinsa in 06.

Hi David, You said, you "got the impression". What gave you this impression? We had a NTHK-Yoshikawa grp Shinsa in Sydney last year and were told Star stamp swords are fine. However, there wasn't one submitted. I went to the NY shinsa in 06, and was very suprised by the amount of Seki and Showa swords submitted and rejected. Because of this factor, we didn't want anyone submitting a sword that didn't have a chance. We considered this to be bad policy. I was in charge of the recieveing the swords for the shinsa and so made a point of asking what was acceptable. Also, I have not heard of an oil tempered Star stamped sword.

Why ever, one collects Nihonto, whether, it be for art sake, artifact, or any other reason, it keeps the sword world turning. Dealers, as well a collectors serve a purpose. If one doesn't agree why someone else collects swords in a particular way, so what! It is still just an opinion. I collect Gendai. A friend of mine collects Koto. He thinks, that generaly, Gendai aren't worth collecting. I think, he is silly for just collecting Koto. A good sword, is a good sword. So there is a perfect example of, agreeing, to disagree.

I don't think one has to be a Nihonphile to appreciate and or, collect Japanese swords. I would definately not call myself a Nihonphile. I was drawn to Nihonto from the old 60s show, The Samurai. Loved it when I was a kid. I have also done some martial arts (not good at any). I am also a Buddhist(Korean, not Japanese). Except for an interest in some Asian culture, I couldn't care less about how or what the average Japanese thinks or even feels towards their culture and heritage. I also don't hold Japanese swords in the reverence that many Nihonphile would probably consider, appropriate. I do see swords as: Art; Weapon; and collectable. Except, that the majority of "Experts," are Japanese and the Japanese Art sword associations are the ones who issue the papers, I would probably have little to do with anything much Japanese. This doesn't mean that I don't hold various Japanese in high regard, I'm just not in Awe. Being Australian, I'm sure, most Japanese would feel the same towards my country and culture (even though, the rest of the world considers us to be cultureless :D ).

Still done though.

I've seen one without a signature and date. They are sent out of Japan to avoid the quota.

It all comes down to personal taste. Just because someone likes something and someone else may not, doesn't mean much at all. There will always be trends, which come into vogue and go out of vogue. All in all it still comes down to the individual. There really isn't, a right or wrong, just opinions.

I'm going to play a bit of the devils advocate here, . When one, "does up a blade," there are many things to be factored in. First the cost. Second preference of taste. third, for what reason. I have known some swords done up by people who were not happy how they looked when obtained. The money, the time and the effort put in may be quite substantial. An old sword, taken from a gunto and put into Samurai mounts, more often than enough, ends up with money lost. Most who do up a sword do so with good intentions of keeping the sword for life. However, one never knows what is around the corner. If for some reason, this done up sword must now be sold, chances are, the money spent and not including the effort, will not be repaid. Most serious collectors, are able to tell, a sword that has been done up. The main thing, the serious collector is interested in is the blade. I bet quite a few here, have seen a good blade done up, has liked the blade, but not the fittings? Whether one does not agree with this point or not, how many have sold a blade in shira saya and been asked, where is the koshirae? The original Koshirae (unless ruined) even gunto, constitutes a package. Whether one likes it or not, most I believe, would prefer the package. The price difference between a sword in a shirasaya and package, can be quite dramatic. I am looking at this from a monetary view. Whether one doesn't want to be mercenary, at the end of the day, it's still money.

The mountings are lower quality and the blade looks tired.

Just a note. At the Sydney Shinsa, approx. 40% bounced. We were told, that the 60%pass rate was very high.

Here is a scenario. Someone is selling a sword that has been to Japan and polished. This sword has a signature, though hasn't papers. The first thing that springs to my mind, is, if the sword is worth being sent for polish, why not get papers whilst there? The second thing that springs to my mind, is, it probably didn't get papers, because it is Gimei. Now I have books with many signatures, Fujishiro for example. I am relatively confident to match signatures. I believe, I am able to pick a good sword. Now I come back to the sword in question. First is it a good sword? Is the sword priced where it doesn't matter if it is Genuine sig.? Am I able to take the sword and check the sig. myself before paying? The most probable action for me in this scenario, would be to leave the sword and buy something else.

G'day Greg and welcome. May I suggest you check out the NY tokenkai. http://www.ny-tokenkai.org/

G'day Pete, hope you find the information you need.

I've also seen a W stamp on a Yoshiharu.

As the Russo-Japanese war was very short, there is always the posibility that swords were made for this episode, but never got there. What made me think of this is the fact that Bravery is written on the tanto.

May have been made for the Russo-Japanese war?