hacsek Posted August 22, 2016 Report Posted August 22, 2016 Dear All, I've already asked for your help 2 months ago regarding a katana from the EDO era I wanted to purchase. (http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19790-translation-and-help-would-be-needed/) I came across a WW2 navy Kai gunto now and would need your expertise again if it's worth the money or not. The previous one was almost 200 years old and would have cost EUR 3k, this one is "much younger" and the seller asks EUR 4.3k for it, so I'm a little bit puzzled. The sword should come from the famous Fujiwara Kanefusa 23rd whose blades won 1st place in 1941 and have been considered as exceptional by NBTHK and NTHK. The sword belonged to a marine officer. The parts of the koshirae have all the same number which is quite rare he says. Your thoughts, comments are more than welcome. Thank you in advance! With kind regards, Andreas Quote
Brian Posted August 22, 2016 Report Posted August 22, 2016 His swords are mediocre. Many of them are Showato, not Gendaito. This one has a Seki stamp, so it is not 100% traditionally made. It is...ok......at best. Not worth that kinda money by a long shot. 2 Quote
hacsek Posted August 22, 2016 Author Report Posted August 22, 2016 Many thanks Brian, much appreciated!! Quote
Stephen Posted August 22, 2016 Report Posted August 22, 2016 it was sold by Aoi Art at one time, last photo is their trademark style Quote
cisco-san Posted August 23, 2016 Report Posted August 23, 2016 it was sold by Aoi Art at one time, last photo is their trademark style you are right: AS16045-Katana _ No-syu Seki Jyu 23rd Fujiwara Kanefusa Saku No: Katana in Koshirae. Signature : No-syu Seki Jyu 23rd Fujiwara Kanefusa Saku No. (We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku, Jyo saku and regular saku) This sword Fujiwara Kanefusa belongs to regular saku ranking. The blade was polished. Blade length : 65.3 cm or 25.71 inches. Sori : 1.4 cm or 0.55 inches. Mekugi : 1 Width at the hamachi : 3.20 cm or 1.25 inches. Width at the Kissaki : 2.29 cm or 0.90 inches. Kasane : 0.65 cm or 0.25 inches. Era : Syowa era. Shape : The blade is wide and thick healthy blade. Jigane : Muji style. Hamon : Nioideki gunome midare hamon. Special feature : No-syu Seki Jyu 23rd Fujiwara Kanefusa got the prize of Nyusen, Yusyu syo prize and so on. This blade has a seki stamp on the upper part of the signatre. So this sword was made as mass productive item. Koshirae : Navy gunto mounting. Good condition sharkskin mounting. Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata. Quote
hacsek Posted August 23, 2016 Author Report Posted August 23, 2016 Thank you very much for the confirmation Mr. Schicker!Could you estimate a decent price from a buyer's point of view for this katana? Or a personal opinion, how much you would be willing to spend for it would also be a great help. Many thanks in advance! Quote
ROKUJURO Posted August 23, 2016 Report Posted August 23, 2016 Hacsek (is that your name?),it depends on what you want to own. This one is not a traditionally made sword, so you have to compare with militaria items. There are collectors of these as well who might be interested in the good condition of the mountings.Age is not a factor - an excellent GENDAI TO might cost much more that an EDO JIDAI sword from a lesser smith or in not so good condition.This KAI GUNTO is a decorative item in good condition, but it is not (as stated by AOI ARTS) a true NIHONTO. The value is - as always - related to its desirability by the collectors. 1 Quote
cisco-san Posted August 23, 2016 Report Posted August 23, 2016 Hi, the starting price for this auction was 330.000 Yen. I don´t remember the final price, but I guess there were only one or two bidders. I personally would not spend Euro 4k for a non traditional made blade. lg Klaus Quote
Jamie Posted August 23, 2016 Report Posted August 23, 2016 No way. Buy some books. These are just suggestions. If your not sure you should spend money on a sword then the answer is you shouldn't. Educate yourself before buying. If you want to be able to sell for the same price you bought then don't overpay. The only way for that to happen is through education. Have a great day 1 Quote
hacsek Posted August 23, 2016 Author Report Posted August 23, 2016 Dear All, I would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and comments. As I'd like to own a traditionally made sword this one is not the one as so many of you mentioned. Respect and cheers for your willingness to help! kind regards, Andreas Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted August 26, 2016 Report Posted August 26, 2016 From a military gunto collector's perspctive, this is a beautiful kai-gunto! But for war swords, this is way overpriced. I bought my kai for $1,200 USD. I've seen them go as high as $2,400 (this one would qualify for that price). The high dollar gunto sell high usually more because of who owned them, and sometimes because the smith was famous or it was a shrine sword. Quote
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