Schneeds

Yep. The question becomes how common place and to what degree. I didn't realize it was happening this much. When you have a finite supply and an economic incentive to award papers, one of two scenarios eventually has to happen: You either stop awarding papers, or you move the goal posts and keep making money/stay relevant.

Generally speaking, the criteria is as follows below. The nature of the criteria lends itself to more value as it rises, however as has been pointed out, it is no guarantee of and vast ranges of value exist within any given paper level. Hozon Token 1) Edo and earlier blades with correct mei, or mumei blades on which the time period, kuni and group can be identified, may receive Hozon paper. 2) Blades that meet the criteria given above can receive Hozon paper even if they are slightly tired or have kizu, as long as those may be permissible in their appreciation. 3) Repair on jiba is permissible, unless it significantly impairs the beauty of the blade. 4) Blades made in the Meiji period and later can receive Hozon paper only when the blade is well made and zaimei. 5) For Nambokucho and earlier zaimei blades by famous smiths, re-temper can be permissible if the blade is valuable as a reference, and if the jiba and nakago are sufficiently well preserved. However, this will be documented as "yaki-naoshi" in the paper. 6) Blades are put to "reservation" (horyu) if a decision could not easily be made on the authenticity of the mei. This also applies to mumei blades in which an attribution is difficult to make. Tokubetsu Hozon Token 1) Blades with Hozon papers, good workmanship and state of preservation can receive Tokubetsu Hozon paper. 2) Blades with the following conditions are excluded from point 1. a. Re-tempered blades may not receive a Tokubetsu Hozon paper, as a rule, unless they date not later than Nanbokucho, are zaimei, by famous smiths, if the blade is valuable as a reference, and if the jiba and nakago are sufficiently well preserved. However, this will be documented as "yaki-naoshi" in the paper. b. Muromachi and Edo period mumei blades may not receive a Tokubetsu Hozon paper, as a rule. However, if a blade is attributable to a famous smith and in excellent condition it may receive Tokubetsu Hozon paper. Juyo Token Blades with Tokubetsu Hozon paper can receive Juyo if one of the following points is true: 1) Blades of extremely high quality workmanship and state of preservation, and judged as close to Juyo Bijutsuhin, may receive Juyo Token paper. 2) Blades that meet the criteria given above and made in or before Nambokucho may receive Juyo Token paper even if they are mumei. Blades made in the Muromachi period have to be zaimei and blades from the Edo period and later, as a rule, have to be ubu and zaimei to receive Juyo Token paper. Tokubetsu Juyo Token Among Juyo Token, the ones of excellent quality and superior condition, judged as the same as the top level Juyo Bijutsuhin, or conceivable as equivalent value as Juyo Bunkazai, may receive Tokubetsu Juyo Token paper.

In my uneducated, yet philosophical opinion; if you have to ask when it's that level of money, you should probably wait. Once you know precisely what you want, you'll know it when you see it.

Why wouldn't you just make an exception for antiques. Drug dealers are going to start dropping thousands on tanto when any idiot can buy a grind stone and fashion a knife from any number of sources? Lol

This is absolutely fantastic and a real pleasure to read, thank you for creating it. As someone interested in Tametsugu and Sankage, I found it especially interesting and that Naginata Naoshi is marvelous. If you are taking requests for the next one, something from the Shizu line would be great

That is a massive improvement in photograph quality, well done!

It's a matter of trial and error with respect to the angle and location of light. The position of the lens will also affect this. As others have mentioned, having the direct light source at the edge of the picture frame is a good place to start.

Photographing is infinitely easier if you place the blade on an acceptable dark surface, rather than trying to hold it and take pictures. Shine a lamp/flashlight onto the blade. Put the camera/phone in manual focus, set the focus to the absolute minimum focal length (.3 meters for example), place the lens close to the blade and slowly back it out until the hada comes in to focus.

Unless my AI is wrong, you got exactly the attribution as promised. Ko Bizen, Tomoyasu, and they even specified it as a kodachi. Very nice!

Personally, I only buy things I'm prepared to live with indefinitely. Because you never know. Homes, cars, electronic, etc. So that's an easy answer for me

That is a very interesting point you raise about boosting the prestige of TH, and one I'd not considered. Sucks for the person submitting it that session, but a good overall strategy on the part of the NBHTK to keep things interesting and TH relevant.

That is a nice looking blade especially the kissaki. I would also like to add that vulgarity absolutely made Wolverine's character better.

Easy way to confirm accuracy: a nickel weighs 5 grams.

Could be. If they had the papers in hand though why wouldn't you just provide a photograph? Maybe theyre desperate for revenue and can't wait.

I would want a specific guarantee on that papered attribution from Aoi before bidding. A lot of times they state a guarantee in the listing when forth coming. They did not on this one.

Depends on why you want it. The fact that Jussi can't find another example of a Tomoyasu is perhaps the most interesting part about it for me. If the papers hold up as Aoi claims you'd have a signed Heian blade with an extreeeeeeeemly rare attribution. From a historical perspective alone I'd say that's worth the current bid. It does beg the question though as Jussi pointed out, why not wait for the papers on hand? That would almost certainly increase the bids, and i would think command a hefty price. I too am very curious where the final price ends up.

Many here are proponents of rubbing a bit of oil over the nakago with finger tips after oiling for long term preservation. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/15202-nakago-oiling/

For whatever reason, the photographs of this are different from AOI's standard. The scans on the left are the same, but the photographs with lighting are both fewer, and in part out of focus. Contrast it with that Enju tachi further down. That is a longer blade but fully photographed their normal way. Just thought that was a bit odd.

"The forging pattern is itame with utsuri, the hamon is straight with small midare, with some small ashi and ko-nie and fine yubashiri. It has a classical and calm, elegant feeling, in which we can discern traits of Ko Bizen. It is an excellent work for which the original attribution is appropriate." Assuming the translation is accurate he does indeed talk about (compliment) the blade and is agreeing with the NBTHK, I think.

Sugata is absolutely gorgeous. I'd be thrilled to own that blade.

Are you asking just how to remove the paper? Is it in shirasaya? (plain wood sheath) or koshirae? (decorative sheath). You could try a vacuum but it sounds like you probably packed in there hard. After that I'd probably try a rifle cleaning rod, small caliber. Failing that if it's in shirasay they can be split open but that's not something for a novice.

That looks very tasteful and high end!

I gave that one a hard look when it popped up. I tend to like Omiya in general and that has a nice sugata. From those pictures the jigane is of course quite coarse, but I think that dealer has fair prices and 800,000 is quite reasonable for what you're getting.

I saw someone here mention once they use a rifle barrel brush for cleaning; that always seemed like a good method to me. I would get a .22 bore nylon brush and rod should the need arise.

What is the climate like where the blades are stored? If you aren't having any issues with other swords it might suggest an issue with the shirasaya. It may benefit from a cleaning. I don't think changing oils when you're already using something proper will change things.