New member introduction plus questions

[cerberus]

Hey,

 

I'm new in your forum and I have to say this i quiete amazing all the informations i found so far.

I'm very interested by martial art and blades in general, first started by buying a Paul Chen practical plus as a starting point and recently i looked and informe myself

about blades that are real and represent true history and craftmanship. My two trips in Japan helped me a lot, and specialy a little book i bought there that i recommand

for beginner or curious:

 

The art of Japanese sword by Kunihira Kawachi and Masao Manabe

 

Questions:

 

- I would like to know where and what websites people recommand to buy real antique or recent swords? and of course i'm not talking about semi industrial only pure katana

- I seen in many websites only blades for sell and I wanted to know what people in general do when they only got the blade.

Do you buy tsuba and menuki etc... ? If yes do you only buy from the same era or just something that appeal you?

 

Thanks anyway

[DGuertin]

Generally you're just buying the blade in shirasaya, with no intention of mounting it; only appreciating it as-is. The one general exception to that rule is with WWII era blades, though some will also mount Shinshinto blades for martial arts use...

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Cerberus,

You'll find sword dealers in the links above. The more time you take to educate yourself about Nihonto before you buy, the better the deal you will get.

With rare exceptions, legitimate dealers of true Nihonto aren't selling bare blades. Pretty much everything is in either shira-saya or Samurai mounts.

Grey

[cerberus]

Hi,

 

Thanks for those informations because i was really asking myself about that. So basically you don't try to get something fantasist to add to your blade. It either sold mounted with proper parts ( original parts) or you keep it like it is?!

 

@ Grey Doffin, when i meant only the blade it was with a saya of course .

You said something about the link above for sword dealer, did you mean in the forum?

 

Thx

[Jean]

yes, at the top of the page, click on links then on commercial links

[Ken-Hawaii]

As Grey said, please take the time to educate yourself before rushing to spend your hard-earned money. There are lots of good books you can buy, either here or on Amazon, that will save you $$ in your purchases of Nihonto.

 

Oh, & please sign sign your name on each of your posts, per Brian's rules. Welcome to the forum.

 

Ken

[cerberus]

thanks for all your help. I been trying to learn more an more but it's not an easy task has you all know.

I seen this particular piece recently that really hit me. If anyone is interested to share his impression.

 

http://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-mumeitatara-nagayukichoko

 

I really like that website since pictures a good and there is a good amount of information.

 

Romain