Damn fine attitude and service

[drbvac]

Many may remember a tachi I have talked about on the board some time ago - little pic here. It is a Kanemitsu of Mino, very long, nakago of 86cm, In any event it is one of the first blades I acquired and had a chance to buy from a dealer I had used for years for other types of blades. Think I paid between 4 and 5 thousand for it almost 20 years ago and was told by Tsuruta san at AOI if no fatal flaws or kizu may have been valued at 10-15 thousand 10 years ago - so long story short::

 

 

Sent it to NICK RICUPERO at http://nihontoart.com/ to see about possible sales and when he looked he said

 

"historically a very interesting piece being Ubu-Nakago and signed, I like the Koshi-Zori Sori, helps us understand what most of the converted katana's would have looked like."It's a tough sell Brian, when I did my estimate I was basing it on a healthy blade with the expected kitae-ware found on most koto pieces. The problem is I saw much more than some kitae-ware which you are most likely aware of. A few types of Kizu in order of less concerning to high concern were, Ha-Kabore, Fukure (concerning ones were within the Hamon), Mukade-Shinae near Kissaki (still has a crooked wave, blade was not properly straightened. Please keep in mind this is my honest opinion and I have no ulterior motive, I'm basing it on the current market trends which I feel I am up to date with ( since I return so frequent). I think on a good day you might be able to get up to $4k. I know this doesn't cover your investment which is why I suggest maybe to hold onto it, still doesn't solve the physical problems the blade has which limits the market to a small segment.

 

SO - Not anything I would have thought of - its been in my display for 20 years - big point is if he is willing to tell a seller that and not be willing to list it to his buyers you probably can be sure he is a fairly honest dealer trying to make a living dealing in Nihinto - unlike some who would list it - not mention any flaws and let the buyer - who in many case would have no idea - beware.

 

Pissed me off mind you but not his fault and the original dealer is dead I know where I can get some pretty good blades in North America and let him do all the going and coming from Japan.

[Marius]

Just to make clear: the original dealer was NOT Tsuruta-san from Aoi Art? And The dealer you bought it from was someone else, and has since passed away? I see the different dates for purchase and appraisal, but it may be somewhat confusing at first glance...

[cabowen]

big point is if he is willing to tell a seller that and not be willing to list it to his buyers you probably can be sure he is a fairly honest dealer trying to make a living dealing in Nihinto - unlike some who would list it - not mention any flaws and let the buyer - who in many case would have no idea - beware.

 

 

I think anyone evaluating a blade with a view towards purchase is going to point out flaws and other issues to the owner so as to justify their valuation, especially in cases such as this one where they know the owner has expectations of value that the potential buyer believes to be unrealistic.

 

Similarly, any dealer who wants to stay in business will make every effort to be honest in their descriptions of their merchandise. I have found that sellers who misrepresent their wares do not stay in business for any length of time. Word soon gets around in this day and age.

 

None of this is meant to take anything away from Nick whom I have heard nothing but positive remarks vis-a-vis his business practices...

[drbvac]

Just to make clear: the original dealer was NOT Tsuruta-san from Aoi Art? And The dealer you bought it from was someone else, and has since passed away? I see the different dates for purchase and appraisal, but it may be somewhat confusing at first glance...

 

YOU ARE CORRECT MARIUS -- Not purchased from Tsuruta san or AOI ART - purchased from a weapons dealer - not specifically Nihonto

[Jean]

:shame:Brian, you should be aware, as a doctor, that heavy drinking even if by heavy snow is dangerous for health. I am referring to:

 

nakago of 86cm

[drbvac]

 

Well you are not far off - Savignon Blanc in the snow = nice natural chill - that is some Nakago - you know what I mean nagasa

[Jean]

Nice to joke from time to time :D

 

BTW, you mean sauvignon and not savignon :D (blood.... Snow)

[drbvac]

I keep drinking this and there will be blood on the snow when my wife gets home