Yasukuni on eBay

Mark · December 5, 2007

I have listed a Yasukuni sword on ebay, if interested please see

Item number: 220180279344

It is genuine, but as noted has a bad chip. It is listed with no reserve so maybe someoen will get a good deal.

Thanks

Stephen · December 5, 2007

about the big chip, wonder what it would look like after polish, a koto blade?

Here's the link for you Mark.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... R40QQfviZ1

Mark · December 5, 2007

thanks for teh link. i think the sword would be a lot slimmer if polished. it may be better just to appreciate it as is. It would be a good study piece. I guess the market will set the price and hopefully the new owner will enjoy it

Pilsy · December 6, 2007

Do you think by polishing to remove the chip you might loose the temper

Mark · December 6, 2007

I have seen blades with similar chips survive polish, but as i said i think it would change the shape of the blade a lot, it would end up looking like a slim old koto tachi instead of a gendai

pcfarrar · December 6, 2007

Do you think by polishing to remove the chip you might loose the temper

It's far more important to preserve the shape, the chip would have to stay.

Stephen · December 6, 2007

I agree with Peter it should be left as Gendai, one full standard polish would bring out all the great nuances* of a Yasukui sword, reduce the chip some what but retain the Gendai sugata. may be worth the deal.

Mark · December 6, 2007

I agree with Stephen, i think that i can be enjoyed as is, or with a touch up that would leave the chip. It is a part of history. The sword is in great shape (other than the chip) so i think it can even be cleaned and left as is (save polish cost).

bdgrange · December 7, 2007

This has a fatal flaw.

It will not paper.

It will always have to be disclosed to a potential buyer.

It has value as militaria from WW2 and to a collector of militaria.

Investing money would prove dissappointing.

It will be hard to find a good Togi to work on this.

5 for and 1 against

Not a good investment. At least for me.

bdgrange

Mark · December 8, 2007

As i mentioned i would not recommend anyone getting it polished. I agree that it is best for a militaria collector or someone who wants a Yasukuni for study at a reduced price. I do not think it has a fatal flaw, the chip is a serious concern but not through the temper line. I made sure i noted the chip in the description and showed pictures so everyone will know it is there.

bdgrange · December 11, 2007

Your discription does you credit.

I would like to own this as well.

In spite of my earlier assesment.

bdgrange

remzy · December 11, 2007

Forgive my ignorance but who is this Yasukuni smith? a smith forging in a traditional way with tamahagane i take it?

Also, that chip is DEEP!

Mark · December 11, 2007

There is a book about the Yasukuni shirine swordsmiths. It says they were given Tamahagane and used this making swords at the shrine. Yasunobu is listed in the book, it gives his history and awards won etc.

remzy · December 11, 2007

Correct me if im wrong but this blade wouldnt be called "nihonto" right? if it was made during ww2.

sencho · December 11, 2007

If it was traditionally made, Remy, it is Nihonto.... Yasakuni swords were traditionally made in contrast to the majority of "showa-to" which were mass produced machine made blades

There is a great book which is fairly inexpensive called "The Yasakuni Swords" by Tom Kishida... it is widely available on Amazon and on ebay as well as other sites....

Cheers!