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Posted

I couldn't find anything on this with an NMB search, so I'd like to ask what are the current rules in Japan on the maximum number of blades that can be made by a smith each month? And do the rules apply only for blades for export, or for any use of the blades?

 

Ken

Posted
They can only register two long swords a month, or three wakizashi/tanto, as I recall....

 

Chris,

I recall reading something about this limit being unfair to professional smiths. What is your impression from knowing many of the best of them? Do they, on average, make two swords a month? If a smith works for 40 years making 24 swords = almost 1000 swords.....

 

Derek

Posted
They can only register two long swords a month, or three wakizashi/tanto, as I recall....

 

Chris,

I recall reading something about this limit being unfair to professional smiths. What is your impression from knowing many of the best of them? Do they, on average, make two swords a month? If a smith works for 40 years making 24 swords = almost 1000 swords.....

 

Derek

 

Yup, this was discussed in a recent thread. I don't think anyone here thought it was fair. And perhaps worse, it contributes to the phenomenon of gimei shinsakuto.

Posted
I assume there is some way that the government tracks each blade as it's made, Chris. Is there a central database that's kept somewhere?

 

Ken

 

 

They don't track each blade made, only each blade sold as they must be registered. I can only assume that there is a database containing all the registration numbers.

Posted

So does that mean no one tracks how many blades are actually made by a smith...? If the blade is only tracked once it's sold, what keeps tosho honest? And why have a limitation at all if it's not tracked?

 

Ken

Posted
So does that mean no one tracks how many blades are actually made by a smith...? If the blade is only tracked once it's sold, what keeps tosho honest? And why have a limitation at all if it's not tracked?

 

Ken

 

No one tracks how many are actually made. A smith can make all he wants- but they can't be finished as I understand it as once they reach a certain stage they need to be registered. It would be normal for a smith to have a reasonable number of blades in various states of completion around the shop, and this is what you usually see. While I can't speak for all of them, some of them I have known have a stash of blades nearly finished that they can pull out, complete, and sell when an order comes in. The limitation is on how many they can register (and then sell) a month. Unregistered swords are illegal. If a smith is caught selling them unregistered, he would likely loose his license and face criminal charges.

Posted

I think once they have a mekugi-ana, signature, finished nakago, etc., they are considered "swords" though it may be just hamon and mekugi-ana....I think it might be open to interpretation. The stashes I have seen weren't drilled and without signature and yasuri-me. I will ask next time I talk to a smith.

Posted

The stash I've seen at a Mukansa's house (10 or so blades) only lacked the mei and final polish/habaki/shirasaya since those other craftsmen are reluctant to work on an unregistered blade. He told me that if a customer orders a type of blade he has "in stock", he only signes it, puts a date on it, and "made for X". Then he registeres it and sends it out for polish etc. So much for "this blade was custom made for me" ... :doubt:

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