Waki 1

Thanks again for the wise words guys. Sadly, I missed out on the one I was going for, but hey-ho, there'll be another one I'm sure. You know the saying, "As one door closes, another one opens". I did look at UK offerings, but they don't hang around for long and each ad' I saw for one had already been sold (sometimes years ago); good old 'world inter-webby thing' eh? Anyway, I'll keep my eyes peeled (ouch) for a really nice matchlock and I'll be sure to update you all if and when I find one. Thanks again and keep your powder dry. 🙂

Thanks both for your replies👍, it's nice to know that there shouldn't be too many hoops to jump through. The item is definitely over 100 years old and I do have a shotgun cert' (if needed). Not sure I'd want to shoot it anyway, it's probably out of proof and would take my face off. 🤣 Bugyotsuji, thanks for that, I'll have a look for ones being sold in the UK. 👍 I'll probably still go after the original one too. Best wishes.

Hello peeps, Can anyone please tell me if it's possible/ legal, to import a Hinawaju from Japan into the UK? It's a 51" matchlock, (not sure if it's able to fire; I wouldn't have thought so)? I know the UK gov' and couriers are now frightened of their own shadows, but I would like to own one. If you're an owner in the UK, how did you go about importing it? Thanks in advance for any help or advice, Waki 1 (aka) Graham. 🙂

Thank you to all that have answered so far. I just assumed that, like Katana and other blades, the tsunagi would be essential for holding the koshirae saya and pole together when the Yari or Naginata was in its shirasaya. It's obviously not that cut and dried. When I get time, I may have a go at making temporary tsunagi for my polearms. 🤔 Thanks again, Graham.

Thanks Raaay, But wouldn't the saya and pole come adrift without a Tsunagi to hold them together?

Hello, I'd be a happy bunny if someone could answer this question. When a Yari or Naginata is put into the Shirasaya, should the Koshirae be fitted with a Tsunagi? It would make sense to me, but I'm not sure if it's a 'given'

Hi folks, I'm a 'newbie' on here and have just acquired a Wakizashi with a rather tired and grubby Tsukamaki; also the part where the pin goes through looks like it's black and melted? So my question is, are there any really good wrappers out there, (preferably in the south east of England/ Essex area) that I could maybe visit for advice and to get the Tsuka re-wrapped. Thanks for any help and advice, Arigato.

Hi, further to my introduction, there was one topic that I'm particularly interested in and that is the import VAT on swords (over 100 years old) from Japan. I noticed on a forum from 2022, from a person named Paz (and others), that they said the VAT payable on "antique" swords was only 5%, but the only info' that I can find on the 'gov' website says that 5% doesn't apply to me, but 20% probably does. I am not a business, just a member of the public and importing a Wakizashi from an official Japanese company, the sword is 237 years old and cost £3,000 gbp. It is apparently already in the country (at Parcelforce International hub) and it would be nice to know what costs and VAT to expect. A big thank you to anyone that can put me right on the VAT thing. Cheers, Waki 1

Hello all, I'm brand new to the world of Nihonto and this forum and I look forward to learning from your experiences and asking questions; (that's how we learn new things).