Missed deal - Ko Senjuin ken (A. Quirt's page)

[Gabriel L]

Grumble grumble...

 

Apparently this went up for sale a couple days ago. Not surprisingly, it's already sold.

 

Grumble.

 

Seriously though, even if it's not a pinnacle of art in steel, am I missing some reason that a good condition attractive heian-era ko senjuin ken would be offered for so low? This also from the guy who recently offered a nidai Muramasa tanto for less than 5k (granted it had a couple slight flaws, but still).

 

So I guess what I'm saying is, thank you Andrew Quirt for your terrific website, even if I am currently jobless and watching terrific stuff fly past.

-GLL

[Darcy]

The flaws hold the piece back, and it has seen a lot of polishes due to the age. On the pro side, can't ever find something this old for the price, but the Hozon papers are a bit unfortunate (not naming a school, just "old Ken"). Homma sensei's opinion is more than enough for me, but maybe not for other people. So given that it is highly worn down, some disagreement on school and age, and I think one of the flaws goes through the piece, you end up with the price (which I think is very fair).

 

It's for the collector interested in old pieces that doesn't have the budget to go for a Juyo level one.

[Gabriel L]

Hi Darcy, thanks for the input. Yeah, as I said it's not a pinnacle of art in steel... but even with its issues, I'd love to own this if only for a short time just for its age. Does that make me a bad person?

Cheers,

-GLL

[Stephen]

It's for the collector interested in old pieces that doesn't have the budget to go for a Juyo level one.

 

If you know of such a collector pass him along to me I have a great sword with the big PROBLEM every one hates still rated 74 (by NTHK npo)as a good sword for display. Saijosaku ranked, full polish, priced under polish, restoration, cost.

[Guest Nanshoku-Samurai]

Just my two cents but I think this was a hck of a deal. How often do you see a Heian periode blade offered for sale at all?

 

In my oppinion thsi illustrates that the sword market is very down at the moment. It sure will raise again but now is a good time for buying.

 

Max

[Darcy]

This piece sold three times in the past two years for roughly the same price, so it's held its value pretty well.

 

The market is definitely down though. Haven't even had an email through my website asking about purchases for months.

[Lewis B]

Same ken? Hozon papers, Heian era. Seems likely. Sold again in 2023 for $3,840. Not sure how that compares to the price it sold for several times over in the late noughties. In todays market that doesn't seem like a bad price. 

 

https://www.bonhams....4-1185-10th-century/