Lewis B

Hi Lukrez, While I certainly agree some EU dealers leave a lot to be desired (avoid Catawiki and the dealers selling on that site), there are certainly some notable exceptions. Pablo Kuntz of Unique Japan is based in the UK but has an office in Tokyo. His teams photography is among the best and he appears to be offering some more accessibly priced pieces. I would trust him implicitely to curate the blades he offers. For informal contact with enthusiasts consider joining the NBTHK-EB (European Branch). They organise bimonthly meetings (usually in the Klinge Museum in Solingen) and occasionally closer to you in Manching. These events are incredible and I have had the pleasure to examine many Juyo and Tokuju blades by some grandmasters. Next week we will have a special meetup and a unique opportunity to see several swords by 3 generations from the Rai school, the founder Rai Kuniyuki, Kunitoshi (son) and Kunimitsu (grandson). There is also the German Nihonto Club but they only meet once or twice a year. I haven't attended one of these yet but hope to attend next October. Next month will see the annual Japan Art Expo in Utrecht and this is another unmissable occasion for European collectors. Over 15 retailers from Europe, Japan and North America will attend offering many high quality nihonto, tosugu and katchu from all eras. The lectures are also worthwhile.

Max, did you buy through the sellers Ebay account? Seller doesn't accept returns but under certain circumstances Ebay might rule in your favour if you decide to return. There are financial considerations at play. Import duties into Germany are 19% and these may not be easily refundable (never tried so don't know for sure). Return shipping can be expensive too unless you have access to a business account. For such a small nick I'd not worry and remember, these things can happen at any time.

Yes the Masahide article was enlightening. I had no idea the mune was used in an offensive mode. And that swordsmithing techniques were adopted to strengthen the blade when used as such.

That video is at least 10 months old. I can't see any damage along the edge but a lot could have happened in the interim. Nice blade in good polish. I can see why you like it.

So this was from a dealer in Japan? Can you check the photos to see if it's something you might have overlooked? Shipping damage is a stretch, especially if the seals on the box were intact. The nicks are small but might diminish your enjoyment over time (or you wouldn't have posted here). Talk to a togishi like Massimo Rossi in Italy and ask if it can be fixed without a full polish and therefore at a reduced cost, which might be justified from a value perspective.

Yes I concur. Horimono- check, signature-check, shirasaya with metal fittings-odd. I would even say the horimono looks stamped with maybe some hand finishing flourishes. The Mei looks really weak as if someone scratched the kanji into the Nakago. Overall lots of red flags.

He's in Poland. I'm guessing 19% customs duties will be due if anything like Germany.

Doesn't look like any Fukuoka Ichimonji I've seen, but I've been looking for one of his books (Tatakara Daikan). He makes some quite controversial claims like Go Yoshihiro was a Yamato smith, namely Senjuin, having connections with Yamato Shizu, but no association to the Sagami smiths.

I think thats only a reflection (see last pic in 3rd post)

Hard to define 'best' as these makers worked in different styles but were equally accomplished in technique. I would also say Rai Kunimitsu should also be up there. He and Shintogo Kunimitsu are regularly referred to as the best Tanto makers. As representatives of their respective schools I would say these 3 are the pinnacle of whats been accomplished.

The 3 on Nihonto.com are some of the best currently available online.

My first opinion is that it is at least a partial depiction of a flood event. The submersed Torii, tops of trees, what appear to be a pair of sails on one side of each tsuba etc. Any idea what the vertical poles with golden supporting elements represent? I like the depictions and storytelling in these tsuba.

I agree. Who would you say was more accomplished, Sadayoshi, his adopted son Sadakazu or 3rd gen Sadakatsu?

So we get to see the subject of this epic thread from a few years ago? Even more exciting. Such an amazing journey.

Speaking of Kiyomaro, the NBTHK-EB will have an opportunity to study his work at the next meeting together with his closest rival Koyama Munetsugu, as well as blades by students of the two smiths. Should be interesting as these are considered 2 of the best Shinshinto smiths.

A Reddit group such as https://www.reddit.com/r/SWORDS/ might be more useful for fact finding for the type of blade you're looking to buy.

Unfortunately, unlike for modern blades you're not paying per mm.

Some of the blades in the Albrecht von Roretz collection have Mei. And some of these have been examined in hand by an expert and all those blades were deemed gimei by the expert (there is a signed Yukihira tanto and a Sadamune katana for example). Of course, I wouldn't be saying all big names in Western collections are similarly questionable, just that many of those swords that left the country in the 19th and early 20th century (as gifts, purchases by wealthy collectors, often purchased through unscrupulous middlemen etc) are not what they purport to be. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/49787-today-is-a-red-letter-day-a-personal-audience-with-the-albrecht-masamune/#findComment-518658

I'm highly suspicious of the 'utsuri'. Andrew Ickeringill brought these artificial utsuri effects by unscrupulous sellers to light some years ago. The blade might have been acid etched as the features look rather forced and unnatural, at least from these photos. Worth bumping for all the new members

I concur. I got an excellent deal on my Yamato Shikkake with sayagaki and custom Tensho Koshirae at the Japan Art Expo in Utrecht last year. Dealers are very keen to negotiate as they don't want to lug their items back to Japan. Also no tax to pay unlike if you had the sword shipped directly from Japan. And you can see the blade in person. Win win win. I will attend the next show in June and will have my eyes open for the next addition to my collection. Shows are brilliant.

Saw one of those 'Masamune' in the Samurai Museum in Berlin. It was clearly not a Masamune and the name was typed in exclamation marks to confirm its dubious attribution. That 'Masamune' has been up for sale for donkeys years waiting for a donkey to buy it. The Steyr Museum has a bring back Masamune from the 19th century. They are convinced its genuine but its quite clearly not. The majority if not all the big name attributions are gimei. As some have said, Japan was not in the habit of giving gaijin top tier makers prior to Compton.

Such as the saiha Juyo Shintogo Kunimitsu retempured by Yasutsugu and was the victim of the Osaka castle fire.

I paid a visit to the Samurai museum in Berlin today and saw some excellent blades including a TJ Rai Kunimitsu and a juyo blade by his father Kunitoshi. The Kunimitsu was spectacular. Other standouts for me were 2 Gassan Sadakazu swords, a TJ Bizen Kageyasu and a Juyo Sa Kunihiro Naginata Naoshi from the Nanbokucho era. The Kunihiro had so many interesting features such as midare utsuri along the length of the blade and guess what, a kaeri boshi. You can't tell me a boshi like this was envisaged and executed by the smith. This is the result of some major reworking to create the Naginata naoshi.

It's one blade that can only be appreciated in hand. Just look at all that activity in the oshigata

If it was this one (99% sure) then seller was taking a huge loss. Asking price was 45 million back in Jan.