Experiences with Tokugawa Art....sanmei.com?

[benatthelake]

Does anyone have any experiences (positive or negative) with this online dealer?

 

sanmei.com (Tokugawa Art)

 

Trying to narrow my search for Nihonto (starter sword) in addition to some fine examples provided by the members on this forum. Still studying and learning so I would rather be careful to ensure I don't end up with a "learning experience." In addition any thoughts on a type of sword (including era and characteristics) is welcomed. Finally, any other sites/dealer advice is welcomed...I'm already looking at Aoi Art (recommended by several members).

Thanks in advance!

Ben M.

[Christophe]

I already ordered several accessories including a katanakake to show the blade and the koshirae separately, and some tsuba holder in pexiglass but never a nihonto. No problem untill now. The owner is a very nice man.

Christophe

[Curran]

Mostly just ordered books from them.

Last one reeked of mothballs, but was in excellent condition otherwise.

 

They've been around forever. Never heard any complaints.

Sometimes they get nice items (ie. not to be found elsewhere), but their prices have never struck me as cheap.

 

For a while there, they had a 10% off coupon for purchases above 50,000 yen.

You may be so bold as to try knocking 10% (or 15% if you gaijin dare...).

[peterqu]

Many years ago I purchased a daisho tsuba from him.It was Kiri mon on nanako and was not cheap.He claimed that it was made in the Edo period.Having decided to sell them, the feedback I received from experts was they were modern.Fortunately ,I still had the invoice and at the DTI last year I approached him personally to see how he stood on the matter.He disputed that they were modern but offered to refund the money if they were judged to be modern at shinsa or would immediately give me a store credit for half of the purchase price.That seemed a very fair offer to me and I was advised to submit the tsuba to shinsa which I did.They failed shinsa and when I showed him the rejection slip he reneged on his earlier agreement and offered only the store credit for half of the price with a very firm "take it or leave it." I then selected two papered tsuba from his site in settlement but was disappointed to discover on receiving them that the measurements for the one was incorrect and that in fact it was really of wakazashi size and not for a katana.He apologized for the error and offered to take it back but after taking postage,double Vat and everything into account decided to cut my losses.Regards,

[paulb]

I have dealt with them for many years buying mainly books. I bought one sword from him which was as described and the transaction very smooth.

I also bought a Kodzuka from him which proved to be a modern copy.

Overall I think his prices are high (except books) and I am not too confident about his fittings, swords look ok but at the top end of what you wuld expect to pay.

[benatthelake]

Thank you all for your feedback. Very helpful.

 

Ben

[Soshin]

Hi Ben,

 

I purchased one tsuba from them a awhile ago circa 2006 that is no longer in my collection. The transaction had no problems. The price was high for want was a fairly unremarkable unpapered tsuba. I think you can find better deals on NMB or elsewhere on the Internet in my opinion.

[takakage]

Hi,

 

No problem with this shop for me too.