Nihonto Zuikan Shinto & Koto Hen Volumes At Auction

[Randy McCall]

A Yahoo.jp seller is offering copies of Ginsaku Kataoka's "Nihonto Zuikan".  They're selling the Shinto Hen and Koto Hen volumes separately.  As these are so rare, and far above my skill level in Japanese, I thought I'd let the community know about them. 

Koto Hen:  http://page9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k237545855

Shinto Hen:  http://page14.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s512562137

Auction ending January 6

 

Good luck!

 

  

 

[seattle1]

Hello:

 Those large, heavy and authoritative books are in at least the $1,000.00 per running foot category. A similar set, which includes a fourth volume, by Iimura Kasho is in the same league.

 Arnold F.

[Jean]

Especially, the koto volume which is much sought after accounts for the price. There is an English index for the two volumes.

[Surfson]

So far, the bid is quite low.  I can't imagine that the pair will go for less than about 800 bucks.

[Grey Doffin]

And unless you live in Japan postage will be punishing.

Grey

[Randy McCall]

Both Robert and Grey are very much correct; I suspect the books will at a minimum go for half their retail value, likely much more. The fact that the Koto Hen has an easily available English index explains the bidding difference. Note that the heaviest bidding normally takes place in the last few minutes of the auctions.

 

As Grey notes, fees and EMS insured shipping for the two could easily reach several hundred dollars, if not a bit higher; one similarly sized volume cost me over $90. I can also tell the group that the Yahoo.jp seller in question is a highly respected dealer in fine Japanese art and antiques (though not usually nihonto books), who -- because of the quality of his offerings -- has a large regular following of collectors and antique specialists... these people don't miss much.

 

I don't expect these volumes to be that much of a bargain in the end, but at least some deserving soul will have the chance to acquire them.

 

Just as an example of the seller's stock, the highest bid item offered on their page this week (only one of a couple of dozen) is a Meiji era family photo album of the Tokugawa clan. Running bid, at the moment, is almost 500,000¥, again, likely to go much higher Link: http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h249073924

[Stephen]

looking at his other auctions 

 

really?? http://page12.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p537915583

 

double Really?? http://page21.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/j417602011

 

then you wish your in Japan if this stays close to 3800Y http://page14.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s512562137

[Brian]

Second one is clearly worth every cent

[DirkO]

http://page24.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/q141116980

Now there's something you don't see often :-)