FZ1

I forgot about this thread (I've been too busy looking at everyone else's stuff!) so thought I'd best finish it off. The reason I'm not looking for buying info or asking about its subjective worth is that I've owned it for some time, but I've not got round to posting it up. I appreciate that no one can make an accurate judgement on condition, value, history, etc, without seeing it in-hand, but thank you for the comments and opinions based only on the poor quality photos. I'll admit that this was a bit of a "punt" for me, but I really loved the shape, so took a gamble. I was very pleasantly surprised on seeing it in-hand, because the kizu mentioned by the dealer are much smaller than expected (and there's only a couple of them). Overall, its in much better condition than I thought it would be. Bottom line: I love it .......and let's be honest, that's why we all spend so much time, money, effort and emotional capital on these old chunks of steel! Cheers, Jon

Yurie - As Ken said, the content is the most important part. I got the soft cover one and I think its excellent! Jon

Ah, right!

Why do you assume that its nail polish? (Not arguing, just interested)

Several Katanas (from different suppliers) imported from Japan via EMS/Parcelforce. Worst experience: Took 3 weeks to get a package cleared through customs & VAT charge applied, and had to fill out a form and chase with several emails, but this was over Christmas / New Year. 4 weeks total from dispatch to receipt. Best Experience: Cleared quickly with no VAT charge. Generally, 2-3 week end-to-end trip from Japan to UK with correct VAT charges applied. Jon

My bad and my apologies Paz; I should have re-read the original post. Jon

Indeed it does Alex. Although its frustrating as hell (and a misunderstanding of the law by those entrusted with upholding it), the fact that no one else has reported having had anything seized suggests that Tony's situation is unique. Pretty much all imports go smoothly, without the need for society membership cards or a pint of blood on account; we only focus here on the ones that don't go well. Tony's misfortune is so outrageous and unique, it's got all our attention, and rightly so. Paz - I don't think that multiple items in one parcel is the problem, because (IIRC) Tony's first parcel just had the one blade. By the way although we have our problems in the UK and they annoy people, if we broaden our horizons a bit wider than swords and the ability for the public to own guns, I'm sure it'll become clear that other countries have their own problems. Choose where you want (or don't want) to live, but I like it here, thanks! And Yes, that was a very British way of defending my country, without doing a patriotic rant, quoting my military service, or slagging-off places where other folks choose to live ..... or even using the word "quid" again! Jon

Nowhere near Thomas - "pounds" = "quid" in the vernacular! Jon

Different couriers, but both from USA. Have you imported any swords from anywhere else since the first seizure? (e.g. Japan?) I'm just wondering if the common factor is not you, but imports from the USA which are (possibly) less common than sword imports from Japan so get more scrutiny? Although having said that, I don't know why HMRC would focus their attention on imports from one country over another. I wonder if anyone else has successfully imported swords from the USA to UK recently? Sorry - that's doesn't really add any value to the discussion, I was just thinking out loud.

Could it be something as simple as the owner wanting to show-off the mei without repeatedly removing the tsuka? Jon

Was this also from the USA Tony? Was it the same carrier or a different one? Jon

They usually won't let you bid on swords because of the export process. If you want to buy from Yahoo Japan, the best bet is to use an agent such as Kelly Schmidt. Cheers, Jon

> Unfortunately Yahoo JP has restricted Europe The alternative to proxy bidding sites is to use a VPN (e.g. Nord, etc) to get directly to Yahoo Japan

Thanks gents. Dan - I think that its more rusted than burned (i.e. poss water ingress to the tsuka). Difficult to determine from those pics because they are pretty naff (as per Pat's comment about kizu not showing-up well) Indeed Kirill! Muromachi was also the view of one of the NMB's koto specialists when I PM'd them for an opinion; it was actually the sugata that got my attention. (As per the last line of the Monty Python Pope/Michelangelo sketch, "I may not know much about art, but I know what I like"! ) https://youtu.be/l9Aj7W3g1qo?t=228 Pat - Thanks for the comments, but I'm not looking for buying advice. I'm looking for informative comments on the blade itself because (as per your advice), "Always buy the sword, not the papers" Cheers, Jon

This Tachi was offered by a well-respected dealer in Japan. Mei Mumei, attributed to Kagemitsu from Kashu Shape Shinogizukuri Iorimune, Typical Tachi Shape with Koshisori Region Kaga Province Era Namboku-cho Period Length 83cm 32.7 in Sori 3.6cm 1.4 in Motohaba 3.1cm 1.2 in Sakihaba 1.9 cm 0.7 in Mekuniane 0.7 cm 0.3 in Jihada Itame-nagare and Mokume with faint Utsuri Hamon Kogunome-midare with Konie, Ashi and Yo Bōshi Almost Sugu, Turning a bit sharply Nakago Ubu, Kiji-momo shape, Sujikai file pattern and a Kurijiri end Mekugiana 1 Habaki Copper base gold foil Tachi Habaki Status/Date NBTHK Hozon Token / 31 Jan 2013 Responses from the dealer to some general questions: There are several kizu/kitaeware flaws on the blade and they are visible through the images. However, I can tell you that there is no serious flaw. Considering the history, current conditions are quite natural and tolerable. This blade was forged in the Nambokucho era, over 600 years ago. It has a rich history and compared with other swords with the same tachi, it is natural. The Hamon and the Boshi are clear and the faint Utsuri is visible. In hand, this blade appears to be mature and robust. This answer was in response to a question about the partially erased Kikumon/Ichi: It is not a Kikumon, but someone probably engraved Kikkumon and ichi to try to be recognized as a Kikugosaku. Kikugosaku swords mostly became national treasures, which were forged for the Gotoba Emperor in the early Kamakura Period. I think the style and shape of the sword resembles that. Later, it appears as if someone tried to grind the non-legitimate Kikugosaku, but you can still see a little of the symbol. NBTHK recognized it as Mumei and not Kikugosaku. I’d appreciate thoughts on this blade from those more experienced than me. I’d be most grateful if any critique of the blade is constructive, i.e. please provide reasons for your thoughts, so that I can learn from them (dismissive one-liners add nothing to my knowledge!) I attach photos from the dealer, an image of the Hozon paper and (for convenience) the Sesko and Hawley references for the Kashu/Kaga Kagemitsu smiths. Thanks, Jon

I'm also new to all this, Mike (I've been at it for about a year) and I'm still tripping-over molehills; I'm not even close to the mountain yet! Reading the wide range of daily posts on the NMB, while also reading loads of books and doing some targeted research, keeps me moving forward and (hopefully) learning. I've also found that it pays to become comfortable with a lack of "absolutes". Sometimes there just isn't enough information available for one definite answer, only a range of possibilities. I read somewhere (possibly in one of Darcy's blog posts?) that Japanese people tend to be much more comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty than people from many other cultures. I'm slowly learning to take this approach and not get frustrated that I may not get "the" answer that I'm looking for. That's my rookie 2d worth anyway. As Geraint says, the climb is indeed fascinating, so stick with it. Cheers, Jon

Thanks Jussi - hugely informative as most of your posts are, but this one is a complete lesson in itself!

A bit of Googling for Gotoku Futaoki brings up this (see image) but Nanbu tekki is kettle, so perhaps a kettle stand? Jon

I'm with Soren - I think its a fox. To me, the body looks too stocky (heavy/wide) for a weasel. The tail & ears are fox-like and kitsune are prevalent in Japanese folk lore. Just my 2d worth! Jon

Great work Okan, your patience is admirable!

I agree Mike. The workmanship is superb, but would I want it on display at home? Jon

Welcome John. Be careful not to get your Nihonto mixed up with your acupuncture needles - it could be a tricky lawsuit! Jon

The first thing that made me think Koto is that Jussi is posting it! Jon

Thanks Mark - that may come in handy. Cheers, Jon

The old trick when your "significant other" asks what you paid for it: "It was only 280" (and mumbled in a whisper "thousand")