Sword help for a friend

[jeremy]

Hi guys,

 

My friend really wants to buy a particular sword from Aoi Art in Japan. He has opted to purchase the following Rai school sword in the links. He would like to know though, if he will be able to mount the sword in koshirae, seppa, habaki, etc.. even though it appears the hamachi has worn away somewhat. He wishes to keep this as an art sword, and also to use it as a swing around sword for his Iaido training, but strictly no cutting.

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/image/07195-2.jpg

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/07195.html

 

What do you guys think?

 

Kind regards,

 

Jeremy Hagop

[Ken-Hawaii]

Jeremy, this is a joke, right?? Who in their right mind would use an art sword for iaido?

 

He's spending over $5,000 for the blade, then wants to spend another $1,000 or so for koshirae & furniture, & THEN wants to go bang it around in the dojo?

 

Somebody doesn't have all his oars in the water!!

[Joseph P.]

Oooohhh.... I am usually against people using old NihonTo for Iaido, I fear something might happen to the blade.

 

Of course, it is up to the user, and some people do use old blades for Iaido and cutting. Personally, if I spent $5,000 on an antique blade I would not even swing it around.

 

Seems like the blade is in one piece, healthy. I guess it would be suitable for swinging around (I would rather use a Paul Chen for Iaido, or something). Though, is it really worth the $5,000? Plus, as Ken stated, you have to get new koshirae for it.

[Stephen]

try nudge him to somthing like these for Iaido, makes much more sence to me.

 

http://www.nihontoantiques.com/iaito_fo ... 20page.htm

 

check Ed at yakiba as well i think he has something along these lines as well

[jeremy]

Hi Guys,

 

Ive spoken to him about it, but he says there will be strictly no cutting, only for kata and display was his words. Sounds crazy to me too, but what can you do? :?

 

He still wants to know if it would be possible to mount the blade in koshirae judging by the pictures. Any answers....??

 

Kind regards,

 

Jeremy Hagop

[Brian]

Jeremy,

 

I assume your friend's main concern is the worn hamachi, and whether this would prevent the fitting of koshirae?

If so, I don't think there is a worry there. There appears enough left to locate the habaki snugly, and a new one would likely be made to fit well anyways. I wouldn't trust it to withstand the rigours of tameshigiri, but as you said, he only wants it for kata etc.

Of course, the best bet is to ask Aoi for their opinion, as they have it in hand and are able to make a better judgement. I don't think the thin edge of the hamachi is nearly as important to habaki fitting as a decent munemachi though, and there is plenty of that left. Just have to make sure to get a good habaki maker if it needs to be replaced.

 

Just my opinion of course.

 

Brian

[mike yeon]

I agree with Brian/Joe/Ken

 

I practice Yagu Ryu and we all use alloy iaito for kata. The constant drawing of the blade will ruin the polish on an art sword. We also never use a live blade for kata. There's just so many other options out there.

 

If your friend's reasoning is to use something authentic, he may find that the blade doesn't suit him on a weight/sugata level. You can buy some pretty nice Japanese made iaito that you can customize that can do a better job in terms of a training blade.

 

The blade your friend is considering for purchase looks like it's seen it's share of use. Let the old warrior "retire".

 

mike

[Grey Doffin]

I agree; spare the old horse and get a pony. This sword has seen more than enough of the polisher's stones already and his use of it for practice will doubtless spoil the polish. If he wants to be authentic he needs to buy a Shinsakuto, a new made sword.

What's more, well made koshirae that belong with the blade will cost more than $1,000, I bet, maybe much more.

Grey

[jeremy]

Thanks for the help guys. The reason he wants a Nihonto, and not a foreign made Japanese style blade is because he travels to Japan about once a year for his Iai training and needs to take his swords with him. The non-nihonto will be confiscated at customs in Japan. That was the reason FWIW.

 

Kind regards,

 

Jeremy Hagop

[mike yeon]

Well then he should go with buying an aluminum alloy iatio. You can go in and out of Japan hassle free with one. Again if it's just for kata then why bother with a sharpened blade?

 

Grey's advice on a shinsakuto is a better option too. Then you get to customize as well.

 

mike

[mike yeon]

Also, your friend should know that getting OUT of of Japan with a Nihonto is a hassel. I know a few instructors that keep blades here in the U.S. to avoid this.

 

Anyway, good luck.

 

mike

[Darcy]

Your friend for this much can commission a new sword from a skillful Japanese smith, that will be well made for both kata and for cutting if he so desires. It will be true nihonto, without any issues of destroying a historical item in case of disaster. Just pride and limbs will be at stake.

[AndreasU]

Go to your friend, take his head, bang it on the wall and after that dip him in icecold water on a cold winter morning!

 

This blade is more than 600 years old! After several training sessions the polishing will be gone and then? Will he leave a true art object than without polish or will he consider to get it polished again?

 

It is doubtless that the first option will destroy the sword in mid to long term and the second option will destroy it immediately!

 

So if he would like to spend some 1K of dollars he can buy easily a Gendaito blade without stamp (so true nihonto and no customs issue) and even that this is a loss soner or later, it is less important for the swordhistory than losing a sword that is 600 years old.

 

It's his money so he is responsible for himself but it's a shame in my eyes.

 

If he is looking for a nice sword in full polish, razor sharp, signed, made of Tamahagane and a true nihonto I can offer him my sword for less bucks!

Also from AOI Art bought in August this year but I am not in love with gendaitos and it was my first study project. I stay with my personal preference that I would like to have "real nihontos" made for a samurai and not for a military purpose.